Let's try another Alexander the Great drachm...

I'm still working by fits and starts on my university's meager collection of ancient coins. Here's an Alexander the Great drachm. I have no expertise with these. I would like to date it. Is there a way to tell if it is posthumous (as I suspect) or lifetime (as I doubt)?

RULING AUTHORITY: Alexander the Great (or in the name of Alexander the Great)
REIGNED: 336-323 B.C. (this drachm may be posthumous)
DATE STRUCK: ?
TYPE:
AR (silver) drachm
SIZE: 16.4 mm.
WEIGHT: 4.08 g.
DIE AXIS: 0°
OBVERSE: Head of Herakles right in lion skin.
REVERSE: Zeus seated left holding eagle and scepter; throne, ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟΥ to right.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

One leg crossed behind the other generally means posthumous issue.

 

just a wild guess, but probably posthumous and the 'style' suggests to me that it may have been struck at Pella or Amphipolis???

 

The key word here is "generally." There are exceptions. If, say, 85% certainty is good enough for you, then go with this approach. But if you want greater certainty, then you need to research each individual coin to find out where and when it was minted.

There are usually field devices in front of Zeus' legs on the reverse as well as monograms under his chair that are used to identify mint date and location. Some are easier to pin down that others. Do you like mysteries?

 

What a wonderful undertaking! Is the university's collection on display?

 

Ha. Yes, but usually of the Scooby Doo variety. I'll see what else I can find about this coin, but I fear that this coin is so worn that certain identifying devices may no longer be recognizable.

 

We are (meaning, "I am") working on it. They are on physical display at the university, and a virtual display is in progress here: http://www.uu.edu/centers/biblical/coins/

There's work to be one in improving the virtual database, such as adding thumbnail images and an overall directory. But we are (meaning, "I am") making progress.

Here's a link to the complete print catalogue a student and I made. It's a PDF. A good student learning project. I learned a thing or two as well.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/65eu9pg1e9bnk4z/Uselton Catalogue Main Document with Photos.pdf?dl=0

I'm about halfway through the 30 or so coins for the online display. Once again, these coins would be nothing special to most members of this board both in terms of scarcity or quality. But the collection does expose students to a variety of coins in a standing, always accessible collection, which could really fire a lot of student imaginations. It is entirely possible that some or all of my coins might one day end up here.

 

Superb effort, Gavin! A great resource for students! I'm thoroughly inspired.

 

Well, I think you can be pretty confident that the coin is an early posthumous issue, my guess is ca. 320-300 B.C.E., but that's just a guess.

Actually, I'm surprised no one has chimed in yet with more information about your coin. I think there is still enough detail left for a specialist to pin it down. The standard reference for coins of Alexander III is "The Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus, (2 Volumes)," by Martin Price. Both volumes will probably set you back around $500. Can track it down via inter-library loan?

You might also try re-posting this coin with a new subject line more likely to catch a specialist's eye, like "Museum Needs ID Help with Alexander the Great Drachm."

Finally, do you see the oblong shape in front of Zeus' knee? That probably identifies the mint. If you've got plenty of time on your hands, you might go to Wildwinds' AtG page and scroll down the thumbnail images in search of a coin with a similar object in a similar location:

http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/macedonia/kings/alexander_III/t.html

Good luck with your project.

 

Thanks Glenn. I will definitely do the wildwinds option when I have a moment. I think I have handled Price a long time ago since I have one of these tetradrachms. But it’s been years. I certainly don’t own it but could get it.

 

YOur coin is Price 1750!

http://numismatics.org/pella/id/price.1750

KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander III 'the Great'. Drachm. Kolophon.
Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin.
Rev: AΛEΞANΔPOY.
Zeus seated left with eagle and sceptre. Controls: grain in left field and spear head in outer right field .
Price 1750.
Date: 323 B.C. - 319 B.C.
With best regards
Daniel

 

Thanks Daniel!

 

Oh, Wow, Daniel! Nice attributing. I have some very worn Drachmae from Alex III. I have had these for over 20 years. Are these identifiable?

3)

2)

Suse

1)

 

Haven't figured out what mint mine is yet, but the little research I've done says its western Anatolian?

 

The very top one could be:Alexander III The Great AR Drachm. Lampsakos Mint Struck Circa 328/5-323 BC. Obverse: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin. Reverse: Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, Demeter, holding torches, standing facing; monogram below throne. References: Price 1356. Size: 17mm, 4.20g. Numismatic Notes: VF and very attractive! An interesting control mark! and more:
A lifetime issue of Alexander the Great.
obv. Head of young Herakles clad in a lion skin
rev. Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, Demeter facing with two
torches on left side, monogram below seat, A&LambdaE&XiAN&DeltaPOY on the right side
Müller 398 | Price 1356 | SNG.Copenhagen 881

 

Thank you Mike!!!