Alexander III AR Drachm Herakles/Zeus uncertain Macedon c. 336–323 BC 4.25g

Alexander III, AR drachm, 336–323 BC, uncertain Macedonian mint; 4.25 g; 17 mm. Anepigraphic obverse with head of beardless Herakles right, wearing the lion-skin headdress. Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ; Zeus seated left on a backless throne, eagle on outstretched right hand, sceptre in left; control mark in left field. Struck on the Attic standard, compact flan with areas of strike softness; uncertain mint attribution, a lifetime or early posthumous issue. Ref: cf. Price, Alexander (general type); cf. SNG Copenhagen, Macedonia, similar types.

Alexander’s silver coinage standardized the Attic weight system across his empire and the successor kingdoms. The Herakles obverse promoted the Argead claim of descent from the hero, while the seated Zeus with legend ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ asserted royal authority. Drachms and tetradrachms of this type were produced at numerous mints from Greece to Asia to fund armies and administration, continuing in large quantities after 323 BC due to their acceptance and reliability in international trade.