Kings of Macedon. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336–323 BC. AV Stater

Kings of Macedon. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336–323 BC. AV Stater (18 mm, 8.56 g, 2 h). Arados, struck under Menes, circa 325/4–324/3 BC. Obv. Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with a coiled serpent. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ. Nike standing facing, head left, wings spread, holding laurel wreath in right hand and stylis in left; in left field, monogram AP. Refs: Price 3423 (attributed to Byblos). This attractive stater was struck at Arados, the important Phoenician island-city, under Menes, Alexander’s trusted financial officer. It forms part of the vast and uniform coinage of Alexander the Great, whose gold staters quickly supplanted all other gold issues across the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond. The obverse depicts Athena, patroness of war and wisdom, shown in her Corinthian helmet with serpent crest, a striking emblem of divine protection. The reverse presents Nike, the goddess of victory, holding a laurel wreath to crown the conqueror and a stylis (ship’s mast) in her other hand, an allusion to Alexander’s naval reach and maritime ambitions in the Levant. The monogram in the left field (AP) identifies the minting authority at Arados. These issues coincided with Alexander’s consolidation of the Phoenician coast after his great victories over the Persians, when control of naval bases and revenues was essential to his campaigns further east. Condition: Well centred on a full flan, with sharp detail to Athena’s portrait and Nike’s wings. Attractive surfaces with light lustre. Extremely Fine.