Description: Alexander ‘The Great’, AR Drachm (323-50 BCE)
Obverse: Head of Herakles right, wearing lionskin headdress
Reverse: AΛEXANΔΡOY, Zeus seated left, holding eagle and scepter.
History: Alexander III of Macedon, known as Alexander the Great, ascended the throne after the assassination of his father, Philip II. Through his conquests, he expanded his empire across Greece, Egypt, Persia, and into India. To facilitate trade and unify his vast empire, he minted coins in a variety of styles and types, including this silver drachm.
Each bears the face of Herakles (Hercules) wearing a headdress of the Nemean Lion. 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. Alexander claimed and was celebrated as a descendant of Zeus. The Eagle in Zeus’ hand represented his dominion over the heavens while the scepter was a mark of kingship.
These coins continued to circulate hundreds of years after the death of Alexander the Great. They weighed between 4 and 5 grams and had diameters around 17mm. Coins were minted in cities such as Amphipolis, Pella, Tarsus, Babylon, and Memphis
