On May 18, 2018 the post of Moldova released a series of stamps «Treasures of Largutz», including 3 postal stamps depicting antique gold coins.
Treasures of Largutz — a treasure of the ancient period discovered in 1963 near the Larguţa (Lărguţa) settlement in Cantemir district of Moldova in the place «Eagle Mountain».
The treasure, found by a local resident Dumitru Raicu, consisted of a golden vessel and 21st gold coins. Abraham Aronovich Nudelman (1924-2004) — a Moldavian archaeologist and historian, specialist in numismatics and the history of ancient settlements across modern Moldova, studied this archeologic discovery.
As per the scientist, the coins belong to the Hellenistic era and date back as far as the 4th century BC. Gold Macedonian coins emerged in the Prut-Dnestrovsky district in the second half of the IV century and the beginning of the III century BC with the expansion of the Macedonian kingdom.
In the golden vessel scientists found 16 statera of Philip II (359-336), four statera of Alexander III of Macedon (336-323) and one stater of Philip III Arridee (323-317). That period coins are distinguished by a rather high quality of artistic execution.
The treasure was described in detail and transferred to the National Museum of Archeology and History, and then to the National Museum of Ethnography and Natural History, where it became an important part of the museum's numismatic collection.
The stamp with a 1.20 lev nominal value depicts a gold vessel used for continment of coins and the gold state of Philip II (359-336). The front side of the coin depicts the god Apollo's profile, the reverse — the warrior in the bigam (chariot) and the inscription «Philip».Biga is an ancient two-wheeled chariot drawn by two horses. Used in war, as well as at sporting events and ceremonial processions.
Often the Biga was identified with a divine wagon, with different animals harnessed for different gods. For example, horses — for Appolo, newts — for Poseidon, and deers — for Artemis. The image of Biga is often found on antique coins, sometimes even called -bigatos.