Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III ‘the Great’, AR Tetradrachm, Babylon Mint, circa 323-318/7

$480.00

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SKU: G14.12 Categories: ,

Description

Greek, Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336-323 BC, Struck Under Archon, Dokimos, or Seleukos I, AR Tetradrachm, Babylon Mint, circa 323-318/7
Obv:  Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress
Rev: Zeus seated left on throne, holding eagle and scepter; “M” in left field; below throne, “ΛY” below throne
Ref: Price 3692 Rarity/Choice: Common, VF (the reverse undergone moderate cleaning otherwise, lightly toned and struck on broad flan with high relief)
Note: The Kingdom of Macedon, under Alexander III, commonly known as Alexander the Great, flourished between 336 and 323 BC. This period marked one of the most remarkable epochs in ancient history, characterized by Alexander’s unparalleled military conquests and the spread of Greek culture across vast territories. Despite Alexander’s death, his legacy and image remained powerful, and his successors continued to strike coins bearing his likeness as a symbol of authority and legitimacy. These posthumous tetradrachms were circulated widely throughout the Hellenistic world, serving as a form of currency for trade and commerce. They also played a crucial role in spreading Greek culture and language across the territories that Alexander had conquered, a process known as Hellenization. The Babylon Mint, among others, continued to produce these tetradrachms with the same design motifs, maintaining continuity in the coinage of the empire. While Alexander himself did not oversee the minting of these coins, they still bear his image, symbolizing the enduring influence of his legacy on the Hellenistic world.