2021-02-17 Wed

Alexander III, popularly known as Alexander the Great, was the king of Macedon, an ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon; he was also a member of the Argead dynasty. The kingdom was Macedonia was founded during mid-7th Century BC during the period of Archaic Greece and lasting until the mid-2nd century BC.

Alexander III was born in Pella in 356 BC and succeeded his father Philip II to the throne at the age of 20. Alexander III spent most of his time in an unprecedented military campaign through Western Asia and North-eastern Africa. At the age of thirty, he had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching from Greece to north-western India.

This silver tetradrachm which weighs around 11.39g was issued by Alexander III during his rule in Macedonia. The obverse of this coin depicts the Head of young Herakles to right wearing lion’s skin. The reverse of this coin depicts ‘Zeus holding an eagle and sceptre, sitting to left on a throne, Greek legend behind’.

Image Courtesy: Todywalla Auction