Alexander III (the Great) of Macedon, Gold Stater
Dublin Core
Title
Alexander III (the Great) of Macedon, Gold Stater
Subject
Macedonian Kingdom, Alexander III (the Great) of Macedon (336-323 BCE), Lampsacus. Gold Stater, 328-323 BCE.
OBVERSE: Head of Athena facing right, wearing a crested Corinthian helmet adorned with a coiled snake.
REVERSE: Winged Nike standing, facing left, holding a wreath in her outstretched right hand and a ship’s standard (stylis) in her left hand. Mint marks: Two horse-foreparts conjoined in left field, monogram "Di(o)" below left wing. Inscription ALEXANDROU (= "of Alexander") in right field.
OBVERSE: Head of Athena facing right, wearing a crested Corinthian helmet adorned with a coiled snake.
REVERSE: Winged Nike standing, facing left, holding a wreath in her outstretched right hand and a ship’s standard (stylis) in her left hand. Mint marks: Two horse-foreparts conjoined in left field, monogram "Di(o)" below left wing. Inscription ALEXANDROU (= "of Alexander") in right field.
Description
Alexander III of Macedon is more commonly known as Alexander the Great. A powerful and very successful military leader, Alexander’s gold coinage is symbolic of his kingship over a unified Greek state against the Persian barbarians.
The helmeted Athena on the observe of this coin probably references Alexander’s election by the League of Greek States, like his father Philipp II before him, as the leader for the planned invasion of the Persian Empire.
The winged goddess Nike adorning the reverse of the coin looks to future military victories while also referencing past accomplishments. She holds a naval standard, which most likely alludes to the famed victory against the Persian invaders at Salamis in 480 BCE.
The helmeted Athena on the observe of this coin probably references Alexander’s election by the League of Greek States, like his father Philipp II before him, as the leader for the planned invasion of the Persian Empire.
The winged goddess Nike adorning the reverse of the coin looks to future military victories while also referencing past accomplishments. She holds a naval standard, which most likely alludes to the famed victory against the Persian invaders at Salamis in 480 BCE.
Source
Gift of James and Aneta McIntyre, Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem, OR. 2006.010.005
Date
ca. 328-323 BCE
Rights
Hallie Ford Museum of Art
Format
1.92 cm
2.10 gr
2.10 gr
Language
Greek
Type
Coin
Coverage
This item is on view at the Hallie Ford Museum of Art, in the Mark and Janeth Sponenburgh Gallery.
Citation
“Alexander III (the Great) of Macedon, Gold Stater,” Hallie Ford Museum of Art Exhibits, accessed September 21, 2024, https://library.willamette.edu/hfma/omeka/items/show/56.