Ancient Greece - AR Drachma - Alexander the Great - Circa 336-323 BC
$1,200
Denomination: AR Drachma
Date: Circa: 336-323 BC
Weight: 4.23 gm
Mint: Macedonian Kingdom
Mount: Sterling Silver
Grade: NGC 8209160-082 – Ch AU – Strike 3/5, Surface 3/5
Description: Macedonian, Kingdom. Alexander III the Great -
Obverse: Head of Herakles right, wearing Lions mane headdress.
Reverse: Zeus sitting on throne facing left. Holding eagle in left
hand, royal scepter in right hand.
History: Alexander, King of Macedonia, began ruling immediately after
the death of his father, Philip II and brought the Greek Empire to
its peak. Through his conquests, he minted these coins in many variations
of type and style. Each bears the face of Herakles (Hercules) wearing
a headdress of the Nemean Lion. This animal was fierce and virtually
indestructible, so using his super-human strength and intelligence,
Herakles decided to strangle the lion since he was unable to cut
through its skin. After he killed the lion, he used its own razor-sharp claws to
remove its hide, and forever after Herakles wore the lion's skin for
protection and as a symbol of his victory. Alexander wanted to be like
Herakles, and was also known to wear a lion’s skin, invoking his strength
and courage. On the obverse, Zeus is enthroned, holding an eagle in one
hand and royal scepter in the other with the name “Alexander” inscribed
on the side. These coins continued to circulate hundreds of years after
the death of Alexander the Great.
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