My recent addition, I've always wanted one of these later tetradrachms issued in the name of Alexander, interesting how the fabric changed from chunky high relief coin with short diameter to these large coins, yet weighing less than the former ones. Albeit a budget example, I still like the obverse that shows Herakles/Alexander chubby! In name of Alexander III, Aeolis, Temnos mint circa 188-170 BC, 35mm., 15.2 g. Obv: Head of Heracles wearing lion skin headdress. Rev: Zeus Aëtophoros seated holding eagle and sceptre; monogram and E above knee, oinochoe within vine tendril at feet. Price 1676. Ex Andre Chicos (Ma-shops) Here are my varying sizes of Alexanders, a drachm and a Babylonian lifetime tetradrachm compared with the Temnos tetradrachm. Please share your Alexanders or any large flan ancient silvers.
To me its a microcosm of coinage evolution. Coins in the fifth century and part of fourth century were very chunky and thick. Then they transitioned to much thinner but wider coins of similar weight. Look at traditional Athenian tets versus "New Style" tets. By the end of the third century the whole coinage world were transitioned to wide and thinner coins than how they started.
You guys better stop.... I feel the vacuum being sucked into the dark side..... < 6 months ago I didn't own any ancients.... now I do... and just to let you all know....I tell the wife its all your faults! ....that buys me a few days...until I buy another one ! Ugh....then its naming names....
I can share 3 sizes of Alexanders - tetradrachm from Sardes, minted BC 318-315 under Antigonus the one-eyed, strategos of Asia (Price 2665) - drachm in the name of Philip III Arrhidaios, minted 323-317 in Babylon (Price P191) - obol with AP monogram, minted before 323 in Byblos or Arados (not in Price) For the large silver flan I can show no Alexander, only this tetradrachm minted in Side, Pamphylia, c. BC 200, and countermarked with an anchor by the Seleucids.
@JayAg47 Nice. That's the largest diameter flan, for an Alexander, that I've ever seen. Your chunky Alexander tet is also very nice. It's interesting, how the flan diameter of Alexander tets, and all silver coins in general, increased over time. My Alexander tet is a posthumous issue, but it's still a fairly chunky coin. The date range is pretty wide. It was minted, on the coast of the Black Sea. Alexander III The Great Posthumous Issue AR Tetradrachm. 280 BC to 200 BC. Odessos Mint. Price 1163. 28 mm. 16.74 grams. Obverse : Heracles In Lion Skin. Reverse : Zeus On Throne. Minted in Odessos, which is now called "Varna" in Bulgaria, on the western coast of the Black Sea.
That is big, and nice too. Alexander III the Great (336 - 323 B.C.) AR Tetradrachm O: Head of Alexander as Hercules right, wearing lion-skin headdress. R: AΛEΞAN∆POY, Zeus enthroned left, right leg forward (archaic lifetime style), eagle in extended right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, bow on left. Salamis mint, struck 332-323 B.C. 16.95g 25mm Price 3139 ; SNG Alpha Bank 662; Newell. Salamis 7. Lifetime Issue
Here's my favorite (posthumous) Alexander Tet - from 190BC, Arados looks like a local magistrate perhaps?
