History Coins
Alexander the Great
History and Coins for Sale
Alexander (the Great) III only reigned for 13 years, dying heirless, at the age of 33 years. During this time on the Macedonian throne he managed to conquer most of the known world, from Greece to India. He was born in 356BC to Philip II and took the throne in 336 on the assassination of his father. His coinage is vast and can be split into two periods:
During his reign, the so called lifetime issues (his father's coinage was used for a while during this period) were mint.
After his death, with no successor, the ruling void resulted in 4 decades of civil war and the coinage produced by the Diadochi (the generals taking power) has become known as the posthumous issues.
The diadochi consisted of Alexander's 4 generals, his friend Lysimachos, who took Thrace and most of Asia Minor; Cassander ruled Macedonia and Greece; Ptolemy I (the most successful) Egypt, Palestine, Cilicia, Petra and Cyprus and Seleucus I Nicator the remainder of Asia.
Of the denominations issued from 336 to 280BC, gold staters, silver tetradrachms, hemidrachms and drachms were the most prolific, from many mints, and the coinage of Lysimachos has become sought after by collectors for its artistry and the possibility of having the likeness of Alexander on its obverse. However, his lifetime issues seem to be valued more by collectors.
Macedonia, Silver Tetradrachm, In the Name of Alexander the Great
Struck 275-270BC. Head of Hercules, right, clad in lion's skin. VF
Reverse: Zeus seated on throne, holding eagle and sceptre. Plumed helmet to left, monogram below throne. ALEXANDER legend right. Type IV.
Ref: Price 621, Muller 229
27mm, 16.94g, Grade VF/AVF
£250 (+ delivery)
Macedonia, Silver Tetradrachm, Lifetime Issue, 325-320BC, Side Mint
Obv: Head of Hercules, right, clad in lion's skin.
Grade NEF
Rev: BASILEWS ALEXANDROY legend, Zeus seated left holding eagle and sceptre, AI in left field, BS beneath chair.
17.16g
Ref: Price 2952, Muller 1483
Note: Demanhur hoard 1944-1949. WIldwinds this coin.
Grade: NEF
Superb example
£500 SOLD
Silver Drachm, In the Name of Alexander, Struck Magnesia ad Maeandrum c305-297BC
Obv: Head of Hercules right, clad in lion's skin headdress.
Rev: Zeus seated left, holding eagle and sceptre, N E in left field, monogram below throne, legend ALEXANDROY to right.
Ref: Price 1995
19mm, 4.02g
Grade Good Very Fine
£75 SOLD
Kings of Macedon, Silver Drachm, Philip III Arrhiaeus, Kolophon Mint, 323-317BC
Obv: Obv: Head of Hercules right, clad in lion's skin headdress.
Rev: Zeus seated left, holding eagle and sceptre, monogram ΠA in left field, legend ΦIΛIΠΠOY to right.
Ref: Price P46, Muller P135
17mm, 4.06g
Grade Almost Very Fine
£55 (Delivery FREE to UK, other locations please ask)
Kings of Macedon, Silver Drachm, Philip III Arrhiaeus, Magnesia ad Maeandrum Mint, 323-317BC
Obv: Head of Hercules right, clad in lion's skin headdress.
Rev: Zeus seated left, holding eagle and sceptre, monogram ΠA in left field, legend ΦIΛIΠΠOY to right.
Ref: Price P61, Muller P61
17mm, 4.25g
Grade VF with a little roughness
£90 (Delivery FREE to UK, other locations please ask)
Kings of Thrace, Silver Drachm, Lysimachos, 305 -281BC
Obv: Diademed head of Alexander the Great, right, wearing horns of Ammon.
Rev: Athena enthroned, left, holding Nike and resting arm on shield. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ to right ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ to left. Monogram to left in field.
Ephesos mint.
17mm, 4.18g, AVF
£190 SOLD
Kingdom of Macedonia, AE20, Alexander the Great, Bow Case and Club, Probable Lifetime issue
Obv: Head of Hercules right, clad in lion's skin headdress.
Rev: AΛEΞANΔΡOY, club above, bow in case below, N
above club
S 6739
Attractive olive patina with nice sharp portrait.
VF
£35 SOLD
AE20, Interregnum Period, Anon, 288-277BC, Bow in Case and Club
Obv: Head of Hercules right, clad in lion's skin headdress.
Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ, bow in case above, club and torch below
Lovely dark chocolate patina, some corrosion to obverse.
S6780
VF/VF+
£35 SOLD
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