Tetradrachm - First Meris

Following the Roman defeat of Perseus at Pydna in 168 BC, Macedonia was dissolved as a kingdom and reorganized into four autonomous administrative districts — the merides. Amphipolis, strategically positioned at the mouth of the Strymon River, was designated capital of the First Meris. These tetradrachms were the official coinage of that district, struck under Roman supervision but in the Macedonian weight standard as a deliberate concession to local monetary habit. Production ceased around 149 BC when the Andriskos revolt prompted Rome to abolish the merides entirely and convert Macedonia into a province.