Object Description
Amphipolis, Ca. 330-320 BC
Alexander the Great Av. stater, Amphipolis. Head of Athena right wearing Corinthian helmet with crest. Rev. ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ; Nike standing left holding wreath in right hand, and stylus in her left hand, kantharos in left field. Price 168.
Between 334-332 BC Alexander began to mint coinage in his own name alongside posthumous staters of his father Phillip II. This gold stater is an example of his highest value denomination, featuring the profile head of Athena in a Corinthian helmet on the obverse. Thonemann believes this choice of helmet refers to Alexander’s status as hegemon of the Corinthian league.
This coinage was initially struck at mints near Issus, likely following Alexander’s defeat of Darius III in 333 BC. It was then taken back to the royal mints of Macedon, of which Amphipolis was chief. During Alexander’s lifetime, these mints are estimated to have struck ca. 12 million gold staters.
For additional information see:
Le Rider, G., 2007. Alexander the Great: Coinage, Finances, and Policy. Translated by W. E Higgins. Philadelphia.
Thonemann, P., 2016. The Hellenistic World: Using Coins as Sources. Cambridge.
Size: D: 18mm ; 8.51g