Kings of Macedon, Alexander III the Great, 336-323 BC, Tetradrachm, posthumous edition
LKCUY
Sign InDescription
Kings of Macedon. Alexander III the Great, 336-323 BC. Tetradrachm, posthumous edition. Silver 16.92 g. 31.9 mm.
On the obverse, the head of Heracles is in profile, facing to the right and wearing the iconic lion-skin headdress //
On the reverse, a seated Zeus is seen holding a sceptre in his left hand and an eagle in his right. The accompanying legend reads, ‘Of King Alexander’ (ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ).
A medallic and beautifully preserved ancient silver Tetradrachm, bearing a particularly fine portrait of one of the greatest heroes from antiquity - Heracles.
Provenance Details
Ex Leu Numismatik, Zurich, Auction 42, 12 May 1987, Lot 201.
Ex Leu Numismatik, Zurich, Auction 81, 16 May 2001, Lot 184.
Ex LHS Numismatik, Zurich, Auction 102, 29 April 2008, Lot 144.
Ex Nomos AG, Auction 15, 22 October 2017, Lot 80.
Comment
The die from which it was minted was exquisitely carved; the muscular modelling of the face and the individual strands of wavy hair are rendered in notable detail. With the design struck centrally onto a large flan, the piece has a medallic, almost sculptural, quality, surpassing many other examples of this highly desirable coin. It is a powerful testament to the extraordinary skill of Hellenistic die engravers.
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