ALEXANDER the Great King of Macedon. Herakles, Zeus, Spear Kolophon Ancient Coin
ALEXANDER the GREAT SILVER DRACHM COIN. KINGS of MACEDON A L E X A N D E R III THE GREAT. In less than five years Alexander had defeated the mighty Persians.
Alexander marched his troops victoriously into Babylon, with its gardens and walls, which according to legend were 300 foot high and wide enough to accommodate two chariots riding abreast, where Alexander died (assassinated--presumably poisoned) in 323 BC. Obverse: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress--fine artistic die with eye iris and pupil rendered. Reverse: Zeus Aëtophoros (with eagle) seated left, naked to the waist, holding an eagle on his right hand and a long scepter in left; eight-rayed star in left field; to right, spear-head upwards. Müller 317; Price 1759; "Price" = M. The Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great...Drachms were struck in the name of Alexander III in order to pay his soldiers. Greek mercenaries received two kinds of pay, a daily allowance for food and supplies and a monthly rate paid in a lump sum at the end of their enlistment. Drachms, hemidrachms and obols served to pay the daily rate, while tetradrachms and, above all, gold staters, were used for final payments. A cavalryman might well receive a drachm a day for sustenance; foot soldiers earned three obols. OUR GUARANTEE: All illustrations are of the actual item offered.
The authenticity of all pieces is fully guaranteed. This item is in the category "Coins & Paper Money\Coins: Ancient\Greek (450 BC-100 AD)".
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- Denomination: Drachma
- Composition: Silver
- Year: 323 BC
- Grade: aXF
- Date: 319 BC
- Era: Ancient
- Historical Period: Greek (450 BC-100 AD)