Alexander III, 336-323 BC, Posthumous Tetradrachm

Alexander III of Macedon, AR Tetradrachm, reign 336–323 BC; posthumous issue, Babylon, circa 311–305 BC. 16.64 g; 26 mm. Obverse: Head of Herakles right, wearing the lion-skin headdress. Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ AΛEΞANΔPOY; Zeus Aëtophoros seated left on a backless throne, holding eagle in right hand and long sceptre in left. Struck at Babylon on the Attic standard as part of the posthumous Alexander series. Price 3746.

This Babylon issue belongs to the extensive posthumous coinage struck after Alexander’s death to finance armies and administration across the Hellenistic world. The Herakles/Zeus types and the royal legend maintained Alexander’s authority and ensured acceptance in long-distance trade. Babylon resumed production in 311 BC following Seleucus I’s return, and these issues predate his assumption of the royal title in 305/4 BC.