Miletos, Ionia, 210-190/70 BC, Tetradrachm

Miletos, Ionia, Tetradrachm in silver, minted between 210-190/70 BC, in the name of Alexander the Great. This coin weighs 16.95 grams and measures approximately 28mm in diameter. The obverse features a finely detailed depiction of the head of Herakles facing right, adorned with a lion skin headdress. On the reverse, Zeus Aëtophoros is seated to the left, holding an eagle at rest on his outstretched right hand. In the left field, a star is situated above the MI civic monogram, with a lion standing to the right, head facing left, while another monogram is positioned beneath the throne. Strike quality is well-executed, with sharp details across both the obverse and reverse, exhibiting the characteristic style of the period and region. This example aligns with numismatic reference Price 2172 corr.

The historical significance of this tetradrachm lies in its connection to Alexander the Great, reflecting his widespread influence even posthumously. Coinage like this served not only as a medium of monetary transaction but also as a tool of political propaganda, reinforcing Hellenistic identity and local power structures. The depiction of Herakles and Zeus underscores the divine ancestry and authority associated with Alexander, perpetuating the legacy of Macedonian supremacy throughout Greek territories such as Ionia during the Hellenistic era.