Alexander III AR Tetradrachm, Babylon, c.311–305 BC, Zeus Aëtophoros

Alexander III (336–323 BC), Tetradrachm, silver, Babylon mint, 311–305 BC, 17.10 g, 26 mm. Anepigraphic obverse: head of Herakles right wearing the lion-skin headdress, border of dots. Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ; Zeus Aëtophoros seated left on a backless stool-throne, eagle on outstretched right hand, sceptre in left; monogram MI below throne; beaded border. Posthumous issue. Struck on a broad flan, centered, with minor softness on the high points of the obverse and light weakness across Zeus’ torso; reverse legend complete. Reference: Price 3746.

Struck after Alexander’s death during the Wars of the Diadochi, this Babylon issue belongs to the early Seleucid administration following Seleukos I’s recovery of the city in 312 BC. Continued coinage in Alexander’s name upheld the Attic-weight monetary standard and facilitated large military payments across Mesopotamia and beyond until the successors adopted royal titles in 306–305 BC.