Ancient Greek - AR Tetradrachma - Alexander the Great - Circa (312-281) BCE - Seleucid Empire

Denomination:  AR Tetradrachma                                             

Mint: Seleucid Kingdom

Mount: 14K Gold, with diamond accented bale                                                                   

Date: Circa (312-281) BCE

Grade: NGC 4529463-188 - Fine                                          

Description: SELEUCID  KINGDOM. Alexander III the Great (312-281 BC). AR Tetradrachma. Obverse: Head of Heracles right, wearing lion skin headdress, paws tied before neck / AΛEΞANΔPOY. Reverse: Zeus seated left on backless throne, left leg drawn back, feet on stool, eagle in right hand, scepter in left; rose below strut.

History: The Seleucid Empire (312–63 BCE) was a major Hellenistic state founded by Seleucus I Nicator, one of Alexander the Great's generals, following the division of his empire. It was the largest of the successor states, spanning from Anatolia to the Indus Valley, facilitating the spread of Greek culture throughout the Middle East. Key details about the Seleucid Kingdom. After Alexander’s death in 323 BCE and the subsequent wars of the Diadochi, Seleucus I established control over Babylonia and significantly expanded his territory. At its height, the kingdom included Syria, Mesopotamia, Persia, parts of Central Asia, and Anatolia. The empire was a blend of Greek and local cultures with major administrative centers at Seleucia on the Tigris and Antioch. The empire faced consistent pressure from the Ptolemaic Kingdom, the rise of the Parthian Empire in the east, and ultimately fell to the Roman Republic in 63 BCE. The Seleucids, who held onto much of the Persian territory, were critical in spreading Hellenism (Greek language, art, and city planning) across the former Persian Empire.`Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, began ruling immediately after the death of his father, Philip II and brought the Greek Empire to its peak. 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.  These coins continued to circulate hundreds of years after the death of Alexander the Great.

64067