Alexander the Great AR Tetradrachm | Scarce Lifetime Issue

KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III 'the Great', 336-323 BC. Lifetime Issue AR Tetradrachm (24 mm, 17.07 g, 8 h). Struck under Antipater, circa 332-326. 

Obverse: Head of Herakles to the right, wearing the skin of the Nemean Lion.

Reverse: AΛEΞANΔΡOΥ Zeus seated to left on throne, holding an eagle in his extended right hand and long scepter in his left; in left field, Macedonian shield.

Mint: Amphipolis

Provenance: Ex-Classical Numismatic Group. From a private North American collection.

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Portrait of Herakles

Alexander’s family, the Argead dynasty, claimed descent from this semi-divine figure of Greek mythology, the epitome of heroism. The first of Herakles’ Twelve Labors was to slay the Nemean Lion, whose skin was impervious to damage from weapons. The demigod used his herculean strength to strangle the beast to death, and thereafter wore its skin as his invincible armor.

Although it has been suggested that Alexander included his own facial features in the depictions of Herakles on his coinage, i.e. his trademark prominent brow and strong nose, it is more plausible that the obverse just depicts Herakles and not Alexander. The main reason is because his father, Philip II, also minted coins with Herakles on the obverse, with the same prominent brow and strong nose, and these coins were minted before Alexander was born.

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Macedonian Shield

Each tetradrachm has a unique combination of symbols that correspond to where and when it was minted. This one has a depiction of the aspis, the famous round shield of the Macedonian phalanx infantry, in the left field of the reverse. This means that this particular tetradrachm was minted in Alexander’s homeland of Macedon, in the city of Amphipolis. In addition, the mintmark reveals that this coin was issued during the undefeated conqueror’s short but glorious life.

Coins of this type are particularly scarce, and the shields on are usually very worn and smoothed over. This specimen is special in that it retains some of its original markings.

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King of Asia

According to scholars, the “seated deity motif” on the reverse adopted by Alexander was inspired by coins minted in the city of Tarsos, in Asia. By blending Greek culture with those of his conquered peoples, the Macedonian King of Asia ushered in a new age: the Hellenistic Era.

Riferimento : Price 57; Troxell Studies D2.

Collezione : Ex Virgo Ancients | Consigned