KINGS OF MACEDON - Alexander III 'The Great' and a Mouse

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Topcat7, May 16, 2022.

  1. Topcat7

    Topcat7 Still Learning

    This is not a 'great' coin, or a 'rare' coin, but on a number of occasions, on this page, collectors have shown coins with a variety of fauna. We have seen goats, octopi, turtles, donkeys, elephants and to name a few, but to my recollection, never a mouse, (let alone one on an 'Alexander 'The Great' coin).

    I recently purchased an Alexander III in a group of unattributed Greek bronzes, not knowing the mouse was there, so I shall share my surprise with you.

    Macedonian Kingdom. Alexander III 'the Great'. 336-323 B.C.
    AE unit (18.2mm., 5.86gm.)
    Uncertain Macedonian mint,
    Possible lifetime issue, ca.325-310 B.C.
    Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress.
    Rev: Bow in bowcase above B A in L & R fields, Club below and mouse in exergue.
    Price 377; SNG Alpha Bank 791-3

    Magical_Snap_-_2022.05.17_10.25_-_090-removebg-preview.jpg Magical_Snap_-_2022.05.17_10.25_-_091-removebg-preview.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 16, 2022
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  3. Mat

    Mat Ancient Coincoholic

    I see your mouse and raise you a rat!

    [​IMG]
    Ti. Quinctius. (112 - 111 B.C.)
    AR Denarius
    O: Laureate bust of Hercules left, seen from behind, with club over shoulder.
    R: Two horses galloping left, with a desultor riding the nearest one; •/H above, rat below, •D•S•S on tablet in exergue.
    Rome Mint
    3.68g
    20mm
    Crawford 297/1b; Sydenham 563; Quinctia 6
     
  4. The Meat man

    The Meat man Supporter! Supporter

    So what is the history/significance of the mouse? Seems a bit out-of-place on a coin with Alexander the Great and weapons of war. :D
     
    Topcat7 likes this.
  5. Topcat7

    Topcat7 Still Learning

    Hence my surprise at not only finding a mouse, but finding it on a coin of such a well thought of 'General'.

    Apparently, Apollo is sometimes called Apollo Smitheus. It is thought that this refers to a connection between Apollo and mice, which makes sense since Apollo shoots plague arrows to punish disrespectful humans.

    I am afraid I do not have that answer, yet. Perhaps someone else does?
     
  6. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    I see your Rat and Mouse, and raise you a poss... er a TRASH PANDA!

    upload_2022-5-16_20-33-31.jpeg
     
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  7. Topcat7

    Topcat7 Still Learning

    To borrow from @Jochen1 . . .

    " . . . In the Aeolian dialect 'smintha' means 'mouse'. So Apollo Smintheus means 'Apollo the mice-god'. The mouse in ancient times was a symbol of prophetic power because it was thought mice were inspired by the exhaling coming out of the ground. That would match the prophetic power of Apollo."
     
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  8. Terence Cheesman

    Terence Cheesman Well-Known Member

    At one time I owned this coin
    Alexander III Ar Drachm 323-317 BC Lampsakos Obv beardless head of Herakles wearing Lions skin headdress. Rv Zeus seated left In left field a mouse. Price 1424 . 18 mm THIS IS NO LONGER MY COIN Xalexanderdr3.jpg I purchased this coin from a local dealer back in the late 90's It was part of a hoard of coins and thus was in a little bag with a group of similar drachms. I bought it because I liked the mouse. The date 323-317 BC is the date suggested by Price. I now believe that that is being somewhat optimistic and the date is most likely sometime later.
     
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