Alexander III, “the Great”, 336–323 BC. Fourrée Tetradrachm

Alexander III, “the Great”, 336–323 BC. Fourrée Tetradrachm (Plated silver, 26 mm, 14.88g). Babylon mint, circa 325–323 BC.

Obv. Anepigraphic. Head of Herakles right, wearing the lion-skin headdress; dotted border.

Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ. Zeus Aëtophoros seated left on a backless throne, holding eagle in right hand and sceptre in left; star in left field, monogram beneath throne, dotted border.

Refs: Price 3673 (prototype).

Although struck from dies of the celebrated Babylon mint series of Alexander III, this specimen is a contemporary ancient fourrée, consisting of a silver-plated copper core. Such plated imitations circulated widely in the late 4th century BC, produced either unofficially by skilled counterfeiters or, in some cases, semi-officially to compensate for local shortages of silver in the eastern provinces.

Despite its deceptive intent, the piece was clearly made by an engraver familiar with the official style. The portrait of Herakles, though slightly softer in execution, closely follows the standard Babylonian prototype, and the reverse with Zeus enthroned retains the proper control marks and proportions of the genuine series.

Fourrées of this quality provide valuable insight into the monetary pressures of Alexander’s empire, where massive demand for bullion to fund armies and administration occasionally outstripped supply. They also testify to the sophistication of ancient counterfeiters, whose plated coins were often accepted in circulation for some time before their base cores were exposed through wear.

Condition: Ancient fourrée with well-preserved plating and sharp detail on both sides. Minor surface breaks revealing the core; otherwise attractive and historically significant.