Alexander III, 336-323 BC, Lifetime issue, Tetradrachm

Alexander III, Tetradrachm, Silver, Minted during the reign of Azemilkos, 336-323 BC. Weight: 17.41g, Diameter: 25mm. The obverse features a finely detailed head of Herakles facing right, adorned with a lion skin headdress. The reverse displays the legend AΛEΞANΔPoY, with Zeus seated on a throne, holding an eagle and a scepter. This example is well-struck, with strong definition on both the obverse and reverse. The coin displays a superb, natural patina consistent with long-term burial and preservation. Reference: DCA 737.

This coin is a significant historical artifact from the era of Alexander the Great, reflecting his far-reaching influence across the Hellenistic world. Minted during his lifetime, the tetradrachm not only served as a medium of economic exchange but also propagated Alexander's iconography, promoting his image as a divine hero like Herakles. The inclusion of Zeus on the reverse signifies his aspiration to be seen as a god-king, a foundational concept in the spread of Hellenistic culture throughout the territories he conquered.