Tetradrachm: Head of Young Herakles (obverse); Zeus (reverse)

336–323 BCE
Diameter: 2.6 cm (1 in.)
Weight: 16.913 g (0.6 oz.)
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Location: not on view

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The Pegasos protome beside Zeus (on the reverse) indicates that this coin was minted at Amphipolis.

Description

On this coin, the head of a youthful Herakles, wearing his lion-skin, appears on the obverse, with his father Zeus, king of the gods, seated on the reverse. For Alexander III (the Great), who claimed descent from the line of Herakles, coins like this one projected power. Thus, while their attributes (lion-skin, eagle, scepter) identify hero and god, the inscription ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (of Alexander) identifies the leader.
Tetradrachm: Head of Young Herakles (obverse); Zeus (reverse)

Tetradrachm: Head of Young Herakles (obverse); Zeus (reverse)

336–323 BCE

Greek, Macedonian, minted at Amphipolis (Macedonia), reign of Alexander III [The Great]

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