Description

Kingdom of Macedon.

 Struck during the joint regency/reign period of Alexander's successors ( under Philip III Arrhidaeus' authority at Amphipolis, B.C. 323-317)

AR Tetradrachm, B.C. 323-320.

 With Alexander's sudden death in 323 B.C; these coins were minted under the regency of Antipater to pay armies and solidify power during the First War of the Diadochi (Successors).

An early posthumous issue struck in the name of Alexander III. (the Great).

Obverse: A right-facing profile of the hero Heracles, wearing the skin of the Nemean lion over his head.

Reverse: Zeus holding an eagle, seated on a backless throne, his legs are uncrossed and parallel, which is a stylistic choice transitioning from lifetime issues into the earliest posthumous years. The engraving style of both the high-relief lion skin headdress and Zeus's muscular torso is highly characteristic of the master Celators (die-engravers) working in Macedonia during the late 4th Century B.C.

Legend: The vertical legends says ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (of Alexander), running down the right field, and ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ (of the king) running along the bottom and lower right.

Control symbol in the left field on the reverse, directly under Zeus's outstretched arm. It features a distinct, small standing human figure known as a Herm. This specific  symbol was used by the Magistrates at the Amphipolis mint in the posthumous period to oversee silver quality and production volume.

Struck in high-purity silver (AR), weight 17.24g, diameter 24-26.5mm 0val flan.

Grade: VF.