MACEDONIAN KINGDOM
ALEXANDER III THE GREAT
336-323 B.C.

Silver tetradrachm,
(17.02gm, 25mm) “Pella,”
circa 325-315 B.C.

Obverse: Head of young Herakles left in lion headdress.

Reverse: ALEXANDROU, Zeus, nude to waist, enthroned left, holding eagle in extended right hand, scepter in left hand, symbol under throne.

References: M.J.Price 213

Note: Good extremely fine, high relief, toned, very
rare

Private Collection

The depiction of Herakles facing left is highly unusual, clearly departing from the customary Alexandrine coinage, and present only in coins from Macedonian mints. Scholars have variously explained such variation as experiments, similarly with the explanations in the variations in Philip II coinage. Newell maintains that the departure from the original design might have been an experiment of a major mint, most likely of Pella, an important Macedonian mint, but with a limited geographical circulation. Only a major mint could have afforded to introduce new, possibly unwelcome elements in their coin production without criticism. Price argues instead that perhaps the divergence in design was meant to mark the work of a particular mint, perhaps a newly opened facility.

The coin represents a young man with an intent expression, wearing the characteristic lion’s headdress. The strength of the features, with the stern eye pupil, the bump on the forehead, the flaring nostril, and the tight curls around the head, all convey a powerful image of Herakles, possibly a portrait of Alexander the Great.