Macedonian Kingdom- Alexander 111, 336-323 BC. Head of Herakles in lion-skin headdress 5.09 gm

Hello, The face of this coin shows Alexander the Great 111 wearing a lion-skin headdress to resemble Herakles. The coin is believed to be from about 336-323 BC. On the reverse is a Horizontal club with a bow placed beneath quiver below. Can anyone tell me more about this coin? Is it bronze era? Are they rare? Are the marking on this correct? What is the Macedonian Kingdom referenced on the card that accompanied the coin when I bought it? Any insight on this coin would be very helpful!

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Welcome, Jacoby

Coins issued by Alexander III are abundant in all metals: gold, silver, and bronze.

Some of the types and variations can be seen on this Wildwinds page (Wildwinds is a public catalog of ancient coins; it is not complete. No catalog is complete). As you can see, there is an astonishing number of varieties. Your images are too fuzzy to see all of the details, although maybe the amount of wear is also a factor. In this condition, these little bronzes of Alexander the Great are very inexpensive and popular. Quite a bargain, being able to own a coin struck by Alexander the Great for such a small amount of money! I'm always amazed at the relatively cheap price of ancients compared to what I think are insane prices for common mass produced modern US coins.

Alexander was king of Macedonia after his father, Philip II, died. Googling Alexander III or ancient Macedonia will give you a good overview of the area and history.

 

Nice coin. Looks like Curly a little from the Three Stooges.

 

From CNG's archives, here's a coin which seems to be the same as yours, if I'm seeing an E below the quiver on your coin's reverse. Note: in the listing, "Price 304" refers to catalog item #304 in a book by Martin J. Price. There are thousands of reference books and catalogs for ancient coins. Price authored a few for coins of Macedonia and you will often one of his books used as reference for Alexander III coins. Sometimes multiple references are cited for a given coin. Unless the reference says "(someone's book or catalog, #), this coin", it means the coin pictured is like the coin in the reference book, not that it is the same physical coin.

The condition of this CNG coin looks more or less equivalent to your coin, although better images of yours would be helpful.


258, Lot: 84. Estimate $75.
Sold for $65. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’. 336-323 BC. Æ (18mm, 5.83 g, 3h). Uncertain mint in Macedon. Lifetime issue. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Club and bow in bow case; E below. Price 304. VF, dark green patina.

 

Thank you So much for your information!

 

Thank you for posting this! I truly appreciate that!

 

She's awesome, ain't she?

 

Welcome Jakoby. The patina on your coin is awesome. Nice coin all around.

 

@Kentucky there you go, giving @TIF a big head.

 

Did you get my pic from facebook???

 

welcome jacoby!

that's a nice lookin' coin of the type, i just purchased on myself.....pics soon.