Date: 323 BC or earlier
Mint: Babylon ? Cypriote mint ?
Obverse Inscription: None
Reverse Inscription: Right ALEXANDRO
Monograms: None
Symbol: none
Size: 27 mm
Weight:17.07 grams
Die Axis Clock: 8h
Reference: Price - . Dies not listed in any standard reference *
Die Link:
Grade: Very Fine
Description: Obverse: Head of Herakles. Reverse: Zeus enthroned holding eagle with right arm and sceptre in left hand.

This Alexander tetradrachm is highly unique and extremely facinating. It was sold by an auction house that believed the coin was produced in the Macedonian mint of' Pella' and they referenced the coin as Price 217 , dated 325 - 315 BC. The name Alexander is misspelled as it should contain a 'Y' (which was common in early Cypriote mints). This Alexander has no symbols or monograms so it can only be attributed on style.

There are a couple of clues that offer a possible explanation. The style on the obverse is from an engraver whose work can be identified from the mint of Babylon , producing coins, Price 3697 (323 -317 BC ) and Price P205 (323-317 BC). The reverse style of the Alexander however would appear to predate the Alexanders above. The distinctive and awkard open hand palm style of Zeus holding the eagle was a feature found predominately at those mints producing the earlierest coinage. It is possible this engraver worked at a Cypriote mint and moved to Babylon to produce the Alexanders in the links.

* Reference : The Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arhhidaes by Martin Price (1991) British Museum Catalog.

BACK