Alexander III AR Tetradrachm Sardes c.319–315 BC Zeus Aetophoros posthumous

Alexander III, Tetradrachm, silver, reign 336–323 BC, struck 319–315 BC, Sardes; 17.10 g; 26 mm. Obverse: anepigraphic; head of Herakles right, wearing the lion-skin headdress. Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ; Zeus Aëtophoros seated left on a backless stool-throne, eagle on outstretched right hand, sceptre in left; star in left field. Posthumous issue. Struck on a broad flan, centrally aligned with complete reverse legend; die axis 12h. Reference: Price 2664.

Historical significance: This posthumous Sardes tetradrachm belongs to the large issues continued by the Successors after Alexander’s death to finance armies and administration while maintaining the authority of his name. Sardes, a principal mint of western Asia Minor, supplied substantial silver coinage that circulated widely across the eastern Mediterranean, helping standardize the Attic-weight monetary system that dominated Hellenistic commerce for decades. The star control mark identifies the emission within the Sardes series issued during the early Diadoch period (c. 319–315 BC).