325 BCE - 323 BCE | ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ
Overstriking coin
Alexander_Vilmar_Numismatics,_inv._18505.jpg
[1]
Overstruck variety
Alexander the great tetradrachm.jpg
[2]
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Sale(s)Sale(s) ᵖ:
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Vilmar Numismatics, inv. 18505
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| Private collection(s)Private collection(s) ᵖ:
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Ex Salton Collection, likely acquired in the 1950s–1960s when Mr. Salton owned a numismatic firm in New York.
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Description
| ObverseInscription or printing placed on the obverse.:
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Head of young Heracles right in lion skin headdress.
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ReverseInscription or printing placed on the reverse.:
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ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (Greek) Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, kylix in left field, monogram above M below throne
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Mint and issuing power
Chronology
| FromIdentifies the initial date in a range assigned in a numismatic context. 325 BCE toIdentifies the final date in a range assigned in a numismatic context.. 323 BCE
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Hellenistic 323-30 BC  periodTime period of the numismatic object.
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Physical description
| MetalThe physical material (usually metal) from which an object is made.: Silver
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WeightWeight of the numismatic object (in grams). in grams: 17.1517.15 g <br />17,150 mg <br />
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DenominationTerm indicating the value of a numismatic object. Examples: tetradrachm, chalkous, denarius.: tetradrachm
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| DiameterDescribes diameter of an object (in mm).: 2727 mm <br />2.7 cm <br />
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StandardStandard.: Attic
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References
Description
| ObverseInscription or printing placed on the obverse.:
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Head of unbearded Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress, paws tied beneath chin.
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ReverseInscription or printing placed on the reverse.:
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ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (Greek) Zeus seated left on throne, right leg drawn back, his feet resting on a low footrest, holding long pearled scepter in his left hand and, in his right, eagle standing right with closed wings
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Mint and issuing power
Chronology
| FromIdentifies the initial date in a range assigned in a numismatic context. 332 BCE toIdentifies the final date in a range assigned in a numismatic context.. 323 BCE
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Hellenistic 323-30 BC periodTime period of the numismatic object.
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Physical description
| DenominationTerm indicating the value of a numismatic object. Examples: tetradrachm, chalkous, denarius. ᵖ:
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tetradrachm
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StandardStandard. ᵖ:
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Attic
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References
| Frequency of overstrikesFrequency of overstrikes:
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exceptional
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Level of confidenceLevel of confidence of the identification:
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| RemarksRemarks:
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"This is an extremely interesting and perplexing coin since it appears to be a late lifetime tetradrachm of Alexander the Great from the mint of Babylon that has been overstruck on another tetradrachm of Alexander with the same imperial types of Heracles and Zeus. Traces of the host coin’s reverse type (the shoulder and arm of Zeus holding his scepter) are visible above the eye of Heracles on the obverse while traces of the host’s obverse type (the face of Heracles) appear behind Zeus on the reverse. The question is what purpose could there have been in overstriking the same types? As a lifetime issue the only host coins available would have been other, earlier lifetime Alexander tetradrachms and these seem to have been able to circulate throughout Alexander’s empire. Perhaps there is some administrative explanation that is now obscure. It is definitely a coin worthy of further research" (nb: for a simple explanation, see Callataÿ 2108a)
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References
- a b Price, Martin Jessop (1991), The Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus: a British Museum Catalogue, 2 vol., Zürich-London, 637 p., 637 p., clix pl.
