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01. Athens Tetradrachm.Tetradrachm, 449 - 413 BC.
Obverse: "Archaic style" head of Athena, wearing crested helmet ornamented with olive leaves and floral scroll.
Reverse: ΑΘΕ / Owl, olive twig, and crescent moon.
17.15 gm., 24 mm.
S. #2526.Callimachus
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02. Persian Empire: Province of Cilicia: City of Tarsos.Double shekel, ca. 351 BC.
Obverse: Baal of Tarsos seated, holding eagle, ear of wheat, bunch of grapes, and sceptre.
Reverse: Lion attacking bull.
10.51 gm., 24 mm.
S. #5650; series V in Myriandros Katisson (E.T. Newell).Callimachus
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03. Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 325 - 323 BC, "Babylon" mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. M and a bee at left, monogram under throne.
17.12 gm., 26 mm.
P. #3619; M. #696.
Martin J. Price assigns this coin to the mint at "Babylon," but he says (p. 456 -57) it is possible that coins of "group two" may have been minted at Susa or Ecbatana.Callimachus
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04. "Abydus": Stater in the name of Alexander the Great.Stater, ca 323 - 317 BC, "Abydus" mint.
Obverse: Head of Athena in crested Corinthian helmet ornamented with a serpent.
Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Nike holding wreath and ship's mast; monogram and star at left, cornucopia at feet.
8.60 gm., 18 mm.
P. #1524; M. #381; S. #6704.Callimachus
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05. Philip III.Tetradrachm, 323 - 317 BC, "Babylon" mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. M at left, ΛΥ between the rungs of the throne.
16.99 gm., 27 mm.
P. #P181; M. #99; S. #6749.
Martin J. Price assigns this coin to the mint at "Babylon," but he says (p. 455) that coins with the M-ΛΥ monograms may have to be assigned to Susa after further study.Callimachus
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06. "Amphipolis": Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 320 - 317 BC, "Amphipolis" mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. Branch of laurel at left, Π under throne.
17.33 gm., 25 mm.
P. #124; M. #560.
Alexander appointed Antipater regent in Macedon during his absence. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, Antipater continued ruling as regent until his own death in 319 BC. Most coins issued in Macedon during this time continued to be in the name of Alexander. Callimachus
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07. "Pella": Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 315 - 310 BC, "Pella" mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. Boeotian shield at left, Σ. between the rungs of the throne.
17.24 gm., 26 mm.
P. #250; PROa #135.
Alexander appointed Antipater regent in Macedon during his absence. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, Antipater continued ruling as regent until his own death in 319 BC. Thereafter his son Kassander ruled until 297 BC, eventually taking the title of King in 305 BC. He was notorious for his cruelty, and in 311 BC he killed Alexander's widow and her young son. The silver coinage of Kassander's reign was all issued in the name of Alexander.Callimachus
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08. Ecbatana: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 311 - 295 BC, Ecbatana mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. Anchor, forepart of a grazing horse, and two monograms at left; ΣΩ under throne.
17.01 gm., 26 mm.
P. #3931; M. #1355; ESM #475.
This is a coin of the Seleucid Empire from the time of Seleukos I, Nikator. Seleukos used the anchor as his personal symbol. Some of Seleukos' coinage was in the name of Alexander, and some was in his own nameCallimachus
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09. Alexandria: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 310 - 305 BC, Alexandria (Egypt) mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander with Horn of Ammon, wearing elephant skin headdress.
Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Athena carrying shield and hurling spear. Also small eagle sitting on thunderbolt at right. Two monograms: one at left, one at right.
15.10 gm., 26 mm.
S. #7749; BMC 6.6, 46.
You may have noticed that I refer to the obverse portraits on the Alexander the Great coins as "Head of Alexander as Herakles." Much has been written about these portraits as to whether or not they really portray Alexander's likeness. There can be no doubt, however, that the portrait on this coin was intended to be that of Alexander. Ptolemy issued this coin in the name of Alexander while he was Satrap of Egypt. The elephant skin headdress was probably inspired by the lion's skin headdress on Alexander's own coins. It likely refers to Alexander's conquests in India where he defeated an Indian army with 200 elephants. Beneath the elephant skin headdress, right above his ear, Alexander wears the Horn of Zeus Ammon. The priests of Zeus Ammon recognized Alexander as divine when he visited Egypt in 331 BC. Callimachus
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10-Miletus: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 295 - 275 BC, Miletus mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. MI monogram at left.
16.56 gm., 29 mm.
P. #2150; M. #1055.Callimachus
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11. "Pella": Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 280 - 275 BC, "Pella" mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. Monogram under throne, Triton at left.
16.95 gm., 29 mm.
P. #527.
Following the overthrow of Demetrios Poliorketes by Lysimachos in 288 BC, there was a period of about a dozen years where no ruler was able to establish himself for any length of time in Macedonia. In 277 BC, Antigonos Gonatas achieved a victory over Gallic invaders in Thrace, and that enabled him to claim his father's throne. He ruled until 239 BC and the Macedonian kingdom prospered during his reign.
This coin was issued about the time Antigonos became king and established his own coinage. The decade 280 - 270 BC was a troubled one for the area due to the Gallic invasions (279 - 276 BC), and coins in the name of Alexander the Great from this decade are not common.Callimachus
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12. Callatis: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 250 - 225 BC, Callatis mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. K at left, NAY under throne.
16.61 gm., 30 mm.
P. #943.
On the tag that came with this coin is the inscription "6 / Sept / 44 Bulgaria." The Soviet occupation of Bulgaria began on Sept. 9, 1944. It would be interesting to know the story behind that inscription as it applies to this coin...Callimachus
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13. Phaselis: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, 206 / 05 BC, Phaselis mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. ΙΓ and Φ at left.
16.59 gm., 30 mm.
P. #2853.
The letters ΙΓ are a date: year 13. The dated coinage of Phaselis runs from year 1 through year 33. The coinage of Phaselis came to an end in 186 BC when the Treaty of Apamea gave Rhodes control over Lycia. That makes year 13 correspond to 206 / 205 BC. See pages 346 - 49 of Price, vol. I. Callimachus
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14. Rhodes: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 201 - 190 BC, Rhodes mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. ΔΑΜΑΤΡΙΟΣ and rosebud at left, ΡΟ under throne.
16.89 gm., 32 mm.
P. #2521; M. #1162.
In 202 - 201 BC, Philip V of Macedon was threatening the cities of Asia Minor. Pergamum and Rhodes were political and military rivals, but they were allies against this common aggressor. Each city struck coins of the Alexander type so that the fleet and army assembled in this alliance could be paid in a common currency. By 190 BC old animosities reemerged and the joint coinage ended.Callimachus
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15. Mesembria: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 250 - 175 BC, Mesembria mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. Monogram under throne, Corinthian helmet at left.
16.66 gm., 33 mm.
P. #1013.Callimachus
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16. Aradus: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, 196 / 195 BC, Aradus mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. Palm tree at left, ΑΡ monogram under throne, ΔΞ in exergue.
17.00 gm., 30 mm.
P. #3396.
Dating this coin: ΔΞ = year 64 = 196 / 195 BC. The era dates to 259 BC when Aradus gained its autonomy. In this series there are 35 different dates between year 17 (243 / 242 BC) and year 94 (166 / 165 BC). There are several breaks in the series (after years 45 and 69 for example) which reflect different political situations in Phoenecia.Callimachus
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17. Temnos: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 188 - 170 BC, Temnos mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟ&Upsilon / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. Two monograms, vine branch, and vase at left.
16.25 gm., 33 mm.
P. #1686; M. #958.Callimachus
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18. Kyme: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 188 - 170 BC, Kyme mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. A one-handled jug in wreath at left, ΑΘΗΝΙΚΩΝ in exergue.
16.71 gm., 37 mm.
P. #1642; M. #950.
The photo does not do justice to the beauty of this coin.Callimachus
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19. Mesembria: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 175 - 125 BC, Mesembria mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. ΔΑ and Corinthian helmet to left, monogram under throne.
16.57 gm., 30 mm.
P. #1055; M. #472.Callimachus
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20. Odessus: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 125 - 70 BC, Odessus mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. ΘΕ at left, monogram under throne.
16.36 gm., 34 mm.
P. #1181; M. #419.Callimachus
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21. Roman Macedon: Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great.Tetradrachm, ca 90 - 75 BC, Thessalonika mint.
Obverse: ΜΑΚΕΔΟΝΩΝ / Head of Alexander, wearing the Horn of Ammon.
Θ behind.
Reverse: AESILLAS Q / Club between money-chest and quaesteor's chair, all in olive-wreath.
16.23 gm., 29 mm.
S. #1463.
The dating of this series is far from certain. The traditional theory of ca 94 - 88 BC is supported by Athenian overstrikes. Others favor dates from the mid- 80s BC through the early 60s BC.Callimachus
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22. Celtic Alexander Tetradrachm (?)Tetradrachm, ca 2'nd century BC, Danube region.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. Tripod at left.
17.25 gm., 28 mm.
In researching this coin, I found five coins which are from the same pair of dies as this one. These are the only examples of this type (tripod on reverse) that I've been able to find.
1. Palladium sale #10 (Nov. 1995), attributed to the mint at Pella and catalogued as Muller #146.
2. Palladium sale #11 (April 1996), described as "unlisted in Price, and apparently unknown before a recent hoard find. Variant of Price 633."
3. CNG sale #54, lot 99, described as a Celtic imitation of Alexander's coinage from the Danube region, ca 2'nd century BC. c.f. Goble, OTA, 566. This is the coin pictured above.
4. CNG sale #72, lot 13, described as "Celtic, Lower Danube, uncertain tribe, early 3'rd century BC . . . . Unpublished in the standard references . . . . By virtue of its style, fabric, and weight, this Alexander imitation is certainly an early issue, probably struck during the first decades of the third century BC."
5. Harlan J Berk 156th Buy or Bid Sale (Oct. 2007), lot 75, described as "Possibly unpublished . . . Somewhat unusual style on the obverse."
Five coins from the same pair or dies, five different attributions. I will agree, though, with the last statement of coin #4 above, that this appears to be an early issue. This coin is on a thick flan resembling coins minted during Alexander's lifetime and immediately thereafter and is made from good silver. There is something a bit barbaric about the style of this coin, although there are genuine Alexander coins listed and pictured in Martin J. Price's book which are more barbaric than this one. An interesting coin.Callimachus
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23. Lysimachos.Tetradrachm, 287 - 282 BC, Pergamum mint.
Obverse: Diademed head of Alexander, wearing the Horn of Ammon. K under bust.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ / Athena seated, with spear and shield, holding Nike. A crescent and archaic xoanon at left, ΘΞ monogram in exergue.
17.29 gm., 30 mm.
Thompson #221; S. #6816 var.
The mint at Pergamum was open for only 5 years from 287 - 282 BC. This coin was issued by Philetareus who was Lysimachus' governor at Pergamum. One of the most striking portraits on Greek coinage ! Callimachus
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24. Seleukos I.Tetradrachm, ca 305 - 304 BC, Seleuceia ad Tigram mint.
Obverse: Head of Alexander as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding his attendant eagle and sceptre. Monogram at left, ΔΙ under throne.
16.93 gm., 26 mm.
Houghton #941; ESM #4; BMC 4.1, 5.
In Eastern Seleucid Mints, E.T. Newell has this coin in Series 1, Group A. He suggests a date of 305 - 304 BC. Martin J. Price lists a coin in the name of Alexander the Great (#3784) with the exact same monograms. He suggests a date of ca 295 BC for the coin, but admits the whole attribution is very tentative.Callimachus
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25. Antiochos Hierax.Tetradrachm, ca 247 - 227 BC, Lampsacus mint.
Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochus Hierax.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ / Apollo seated on omphalos, holding arrow in right hand, left hand resting on bow. A bee in inner left field.
17.03 gm., 31 mm.
WSM #1545; SC. #850.2.Callimachus
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26. Antiochos III.Tetradrachm, 223 - 213 BC, Antioch mint.
Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochus III with very youthful features.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ / Apollo seated on omphalos, holding arrow in right hand, left hand resting on bow, Two monograms: one at left, one at right.
16.84 gm., 29 mm.
WSM #1053; S. #6933/4.
Antiochus was 18 or 19 years old when he became king. Since this coin shows him with very youthful features, it was likely issued early on in his reign. E.T. Newell (in WSM) assigns this coin to "series 1" which runs from 223 - 213 BC.Callimachus
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27. Antiochos IV.Tetradrachm, 175-164 BC.
Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos IV.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΘΕΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ / Zeus sitting, holding Nike and sceptre. E at left.
16.63 gm., 30 mm.
S. #6978 var.
Callimachus
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28. Antiochos-VII.Tetradrachm, 138-129 BC.
Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos VII.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ / Athena standing, holding Nike, spear, and shield. Monogram and A at left, O at right.
16.81 gm., 27 mm.
This coin was purchased in 1997 as a tetradrachm of Antiochus VII before the posthumous tetradrachms of Antiochus VII were identified.
In 2002 a tetradrachm was discovered that bore a portrait of Antiochus VII but was in the name of Ariarathese VII of Cappadocia. Research eventually die-linked tetradrachms of Antiochus VII to those of Ariarathese VII, and concluded that numerous tetradrachms in the name of Antiochus VII were actually issued by Ariarathese VII around 104-102 BC. This research was published as Cappadician Tetradrachms in the Name of Antiochus VII by Catharine Lorber and Arthur Houghton (NC 166, 2006).
Recently Elke Krengle and Catharine Lorber published Early Cappadocian Tetradrachms in the Name of Antiochus VII. This is a more in-depth look at these tetradrachms, and this coin is listed there:
See table 1 on p. 65, and plate 11:
Mint II, Emission 5: control mark O, #117-171. All the dies are not illustrated, so I do not know exactly which number between 117 and 171 is actually this coin.Callimachus
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29. Antiochos-VIII.Tetradrachm, 119/18 BC.
Obverse: Diademed head of Antiochos VIII.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΟΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ / Zeus standing, holding star and sceptre, crescent above his head. AP and monogram at left, ΔQP in exergue.
16.43 gm., 28 mm.
Houghton #854 var; S. 7143 var.
Compared with other coins of this man, this coin has a very sensitive and stylish portrait.Callimachus
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30. Ptolemy I.Tetradrachm, 305 - 283 BC, Alexandria mint.
Obverse: Diademed head of Ptolemy I.
Reverse: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΟΣ / Eagle standing on thunderbolt. Monogram and ΔΙ at left.
4.18 gm., 27 mm. S. #7761 var; BMC 6.18, 38.Callimachus
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31. Ptolemy III.AE 38, Date and mint uncertain.
Obverse: Diademed head of Zeus Ammon.
Reverse: ΠΤΟΛΕΜΙΟΥ ΒΑΣΙΛΟΣ / Eagle standing on thunderbolt. Cornucopiae at right, E between eagle's legs.
51.08 gm., 38 mm.
S. #7815; BMC 6.66, 38.Callimachus
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32. Myrina.Tetradrachm, ca 160 - 150 BC, minted in Myrina.
Obverse: Laureate head of Apollo of Grynion.
Reverse: ΜΥΡΙΝΑΙΩΝ / Apollo standing, holding patera and laurel branch with fillets, omphalos and amphora at his feet; all within laurel wreath. Monogram at left.
16.49 gm., 32 mm.
Sacks #20 . 20g.
See K.S. Sacks, "The Wreathed Coins of Aeolian Myrina," ANS Museum Notes #30 (1985), p. 1-43.
According to Sacks' classification, the monogram makes this issue #20. The obverse die is also #20. A coin with these two dies is pictured as 20 . 20g on plate #7. The identifying features of the obverse die are the "4'th strand of hair" (actually a die flaw) up under Apollo's jaw and the several cracks in the die.Callimachus
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33. Magnesia.Tetradrachm, ca 150 BC, minted in Magnesia.
Obverse: Diademed head of Artemis, bow and quiver at shoulder.
Reverse: ΜΑΓΝΗΤΩΝ ΕΡΑΣΙΠΠΟΣ ΑΡΙΣΤΕΟΥ / Apollo standing on Maeander pattern, resting elbow on tripod, holding laurel branch, all within laurel wreath.
16.37 gm., 30 mm.
S. #4485; BMC 14.162, 37.Callimachus
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33a. Magnesia.(A larger photo of the reverse of the previous coin.)
(Click on the picture to enlarge it.)Callimachus
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34. Baktria: Euthydemos II.Tetradrachm, ca 190-170 BC.
Obverse: Diademed bust of Euthydemos II.
Reverse: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΥΘΥΔΗΜΟΥ / Herakles standing, holding wreath, club, and lion's skin. PK monogram at left.
16.90 gm., 30 cm.
Sear #7536; Bepearachchi Serie 1C. Callimachus
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