Kings of Macedon Coin
Denomination: Drachm
Ruler: Alexander III, The Great
Mint: Miletos
Country: Kingdom of Macedon
Date: Circa 333-323 B.C.
Metal: Silver
Framing: 14k
Certificate: 51952
Obverse: Head of Herakles (Hercules) facing to the right, wearing Nemean Lion scalp headdress.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned facing to the left, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, holding eagle scepter, to the right AAEEAN POY, for “Alexander.”
Alexander’s coinage reflects the immense wealth he accumulated during his conquests. For his silver coinage, Alexander chose the universal types that would appeal not only to the Greeks but also throughout his empire. The obverse head of Herakles wearing the skin of a Nemean lion was a suitable type for the warrior king. Herakles had also appeared on earlier Macedonian issues, for it was through this hero that the Macedonian royal line could claim to be of truly Greek descent.
In the east, this figure could be equally identified as the Phoenician Melqarth. The reverse type of Zeus enthroned, holding an eagle and scpeter, marks a continuation of the depiction of Zeus on Philip’s coinage as well as marking Alexander’s claim to be leader of the Greek states. In addition, Zeus in this pose could be interpreted as the Cicilian Baaltars and the Babylonian Marduk.
The coin was so universally recognized that the mintage of coins in the name of Alexander continued in various parts of the Greek world until late in the first Century B.C., some two hundred years after his death. There are over 4,000 mint symbols for silver coinage of Alexander the Great.
Denomination: Drachm
Ruler: Alexander III, The Great
Mint: Miletos
Country: Kingdom of Macedon
Date: Circa 333-323 B.C.
Metal: Silver
Framing: 14k
Certificate: 51952
Obverse: Head of Herakles (Hercules) facing to the right, wearing Nemean Lion scalp headdress.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned facing to the left, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, holding eagle scepter, to the right AAEEAN POY, for “Alexander.”
Alexander’s coinage reflects the immense wealth he accumulated during his conquests. For his silver coinage, Alexander chose the universal types that would appeal not only to the Greeks but also throughout his empire. The obverse head of Herakles wearing the skin of a Nemean lion was a suitable type for the warrior king. Herakles had also appeared on earlier Macedonian issues, for it was through this hero that the Macedonian royal line could claim to be of truly Greek descent.
In the east, this figure could be equally identified as the Phoenician Melqarth. The reverse type of Zeus enthroned, holding an eagle and scpeter, marks a continuation of the depiction of Zeus on Philip’s coinage as well as marking Alexander’s claim to be leader of the Greek states. In addition, Zeus in this pose could be interpreted as the Cicilian Baaltars and the Babylonian Marduk.
The coin was so universally recognized that the mintage of coins in the name of Alexander continued in various parts of the Greek world until late in the first Century B.C., some two hundred years after his death. There are over 4,000 mint symbols for silver coinage of Alexander the Great.
Denomination: Drachm
Ruler: Alexander III, The Great
Mint: Miletos
Country: Kingdom of Macedon
Date: Circa 333-323 B.C.
Metal: Silver
Framing: 14k
Certificate: 51952
Obverse: Head of Herakles (Hercules) facing to the right, wearing Nemean Lion scalp headdress.
Reverse: Zeus enthroned facing to the left, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, holding eagle scepter, to the right AAEEAN POY, for “Alexander.”
Alexander’s coinage reflects the immense wealth he accumulated during his conquests. For his silver coinage, Alexander chose the universal types that would appeal not only to the Greeks but also throughout his empire. The obverse head of Herakles wearing the skin of a Nemean lion was a suitable type for the warrior king. Herakles had also appeared on earlier Macedonian issues, for it was through this hero that the Macedonian royal line could claim to be of truly Greek descent.
In the east, this figure could be equally identified as the Phoenician Melqarth. The reverse type of Zeus enthroned, holding an eagle and scpeter, marks a continuation of the depiction of Zeus on Philip’s coinage as well as marking Alexander’s claim to be leader of the Greek states. In addition, Zeus in this pose could be interpreted as the Cicilian Baaltars and the Babylonian Marduk.
The coin was so universally recognized that the mintage of coins in the name of Alexander continued in various parts of the Greek world until late in the first Century B.C., some two hundred years after his death. There are over 4,000 mint symbols for silver coinage of Alexander the Great.