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Lead tetradrachm of Alexander the great

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Canaan:
Recenrly i purchased this tetradrachm of Alexander the great that was described by the seller as:
Lead Contemporary Imitation of Alexander III Tetradrachm

Circa 336-323 BC

Obverse: Head of Herakles right

Reverse: Zeus seated eft

Size: 24mm, 9.88g
It was a nice puzzling coin to see but does a thing like this really exists and if yes for what purlose these coins were made!!!!!!

n.igma:
Probably the lead core of a contemporary counterfeit.

Originally the lead would have been plated with silver to give the impression of an official issue silver tetradrachm.  

As to the reason these exist, its the same as why counterfeit coins and notes exist today.

Counterfeiting started the day after the first coin was produced and in ancient times it was motivated by the arbitrage between the value of  base metals (low value) and precious metals (high value).  Sell lead as silver and you make a tidy margin!

Canaan:
Thanks for the response n.igma, even as a counterfeit i find it very interesting and beautifully made, and a lead coin that stayed more than 2200 years in this condition is even better  :)

Canaan:
I think it is imitating a life time issue of Alexander III as the legs are not crossed!!!!

Nitesh K:
Hello dear collectors , I'm ancient coin dealer from mumbai,India.
I recently came across a lead coin of Alexander the great , from a riverbed lot.
Quite surprising for me. What do u think about this people. Coz it's quite rare to find in hoard of ancient indian coins. Will appreciate everyone's feedback on this

Thank you.

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