Kingdom of Macedon Alexander III (the Great) AR Drachm 336-323 BC Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, head of griffin left. Lifetime issue. Struck in circa 330-323 BC, Sardes. 4.20 grams, 15 mm. Very Fine. Dark tone. Slightly corroded. Very rare early lifetime issue. Price 2536. Purchased from Ancient Numismatics Auction, Germany. "This coin is from the earliest issue of Alexandrine silver at Sardes, which was only composed of drachms. Sardes was among the earliest mints in Asia Minor, and was the royal mint for the Persians, striking darics and sigloi down to the time of Alexander's conquest. Newell, Thompson, and Price all assert that Sardes must have been employed by Alexander almost immediately after capturing the mint. The first three issues were of only gold staters, and were issued in substantial quantities. The fourth issue was apparently significant, as it was not only composed of staters, but also halves and quarters, as well as the present drachms. Although the mint became one of the major drachm mints for Alexandrine coins, staters also continued to be issued in large numbers, attesting to the importance of the mint." (Quote from CNG auction 480.) |