Object Description
Babylon, Ca. 323-320 BC
Alexander the Great Av. stater, struck under Perdikkas. Helmeted head of Athena right; M to left. Rev. AΛEΞANΔΡOY BAΣIΛEΩΣ; Nike standing left; ΛY beneath left wing. Price 3691var (no bee). Accompanied by original Spink label.
The types of Alexander the Great continued to be struck long after his death at Babylon in 323 BC, superseding the Athenian tetradrachm as the international coinage of the Hellenistic world. This coin was minted under Perdikkas, the most powerful of Alexander’s successors upon the king’s death and the man responsible for the initial division of satrapies among the generals (Diod. 18.3).
In 323/2 BC Perdikkas began to court the Argead princess Cleopatra, despite being married to Nicaea (Diod.18.23). The latter was the daughter of the powerful general Antipater, and this slight catalysed the first war between the Successors. Perdikkas’ poor treatment of his troops on the campaign in Egypt led to a mutiny of his officers and his gruesome murder in 322/1 BC.
For additional information see:
Heckel, W., 2006, Who’s Who in The Age of Alexander the Great: Prosopography of Alexander’s Empire. Oxford.
Size: D: 18mm ; 8.57g.