CoinImages

Coins of Alexander III and the Diadochi

Egypt, Ptolemy III Euergetes, 246-222 BC. Triobol (Bronze, 35 mm, 30.97 g, 12 h), Alexandria. Obv: Diademed head of Zeus Ammon to right, with ram's horn in his hair and over the diadem. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠTOΛEMAIOY Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; to left, filleted cornucopia; between eagle's legs, monogram of XP.

The bronze coinage of Ptolemy III Euergetes (reigned 246–222 BCE) represents an essential part of the numismatic history of the Ptolemaic Kingdom. These coins served as the backbone of the kingdom's internal economy, complementing the higher-value silver and gold issues. Denominations such as the triobol (this coin), obol, and other smaller units were in circulation. Their precise values were based on weight standards tied to the Ptolemaic silver coinage. The primary mint for Ptolemaic bronze coinage was Alexandria, the capital of the kingdom. Other regional mints, such as those in Cyrene and Phoenicia, produced coins to serve local economies.

Macedonia. Kassander. As regent, 317-305 BC, or King, 305-298 BC. AR Tetradrachm. In the name and types of Alexander III. Amphipolis mint. Struck circa 307-297 BC. Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin. Rev: Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; in left field, Λ above torch; kerykeion below throne.

Cassander stood out amongst the Diadochi in his hostility to Alexander's memory. As Kassander and the other Diadochi struggled for power, Alexander IV, Roxana, and Alexander's supposed illegitimate son Heracles were all executed on Cassander's orders, and a guarantee to Olympias to spare her life was not respected. The coins retained the types and name of Alexander and were minted on the Attic standard (17.2g tetradrachm). At 17.2g this is spot on in terms of weight. The kerykeion noted above is the caduceus or messenger's staff.

Egypt, Ptolemy I Soter, 305-282 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 27 mm, 13.69 g, 1 h), uncertain mint on Cyprus (Salamis or Kition), circa 294-282. Obv: Diademed head of Ptolemy I to right, wearing aegis around neck; small Δ behind ear. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΤΟΛΕΜΑΙΟΥ Eagle with closed wings standing left on thunderbolt; to left, ΣΤ above monogram of Π and A.

The Ptolemaic dynasty introduced standard coinage to Egypt, where pre-existing native dynasties made only very limited use of coins. The first Ptolemaic mint was in Memphis and was later moved to Alexandria. Ptolemaic coinage was struck in Phoenician weight, also known as Ptolemaic weight (about 14.2 grams). This standard, which was not used elsewhere in the Hellenistic world, was smaller than the dominant Attic weight. Consequentially, Ptolemaic coins are smaller than other Hellenistic coinage. In terms of art, the coins, which were made of silver, followed the example set by contemporary Greek currencies, with dynastic figures being typically portrayed. A commonplace symbol of the Ptolemaic dynasty is an eagle standing on a thunderbolt, first adopted by Ptolemy I Soter and visible in this example. Silver was scarcer than gold in Egypt, and the exact ratio of their value is unclear. Silver was however probably shipped in significant quantities from abroad. In addition, Ptolemaic Cyprus produced some silver for coinage struck locally. From the Rhakotis Collection

Alexander III. Amphipolis mint. Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin. Rev: AΛEΞANΔPOY, Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; to left, rooster standing left. 16.95 g 26.0mm

This tetradrachm is minted on the Attic-Euboic standard (17.2g tetradrachm) and comes in slightly light at 17.0g, probably due to the clipping (in this instance I think this is more of a test cut than to deliberately remove a portion of silver for re-use). Attribution of these coins and whether they are lifetime or posthumous issues can be tricky. The standard reference for these coins is Price (Price, M. The Coinage of in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus. London, 1991), where this would be Price 79 (Mueller 392). There is some conjecture that this is actually a type started under Phillip II and simply continued into the reign of Alexander III (Rider's Amphipolis Period IIB), with the prodigious output of this type being in preparation for Alexander's conquests east. There are many mint marks for Alexander tetradrachms, with the rooster in this one being associated with the Amphipolis mint. Ex Aureo 04/27/2000, no. 1039.

Macedonia. Antigonos II Gonatas, 277/6-239 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 30 mm, 17.08 g, 10 h), Amphipolis, circa 274/1-260/55 BC. Horned head of Pan to left, within the centre of a Macedonian shield. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIΓONOΥ Athena Alkidemos striding left; to left, Macedonian helmet with transverse crest; to right, monogram of EYPM.

This tetradrachm was minted in Amphipolis on the Attic-Euboean standard between 274 and 255 BC, so in the first rule of Antigonos in Macedonia and Greece. The legend BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIΓONOΥ is clearly visible on the reverse. The typical Alexander types had ceased production in Macedonia under Antigonus’ father Demetrius in 294 BC, with a brief return from 281 BC to a date early in the reign of Antigonus, when they were superseded with the horned head of Pan to left, within the centre of a Macedonian shield. There is a small issue of Alexander types bearing the name of Antigonus dated to about 272 BC. Ralph W Mathison dates the introduction of the Pan type as follows “The specific occasion for the introduction of the Pan head have been Gonatas' total defeat of his arch-rival Pyrrhus in 272. Certainly, at that time his prestige would have been at by far its highest point; he was now indisputably established in Macedonia, and he had just refurbished his reputation in Greece. This would indeed have been an auspicious occasion for the inception of a new coin type, which would complete the half measure he had taken the year before by own name on Alexander's types.” He also suggests that “In the past, there has been little doubt that the figure of Pan on Antigonus' Pan head tetradrachms is a reference to the panic fear struck by the Arcadian god into the Gauls at Lysimacheia in 277.” The reverse of the coin has Athena Alkidemos 'defender of the people' striding left; to left, a Macedonian helmet with transverse crest; to right, monogram of EYPM.

Seleucus I Nicator. AR tetradrachm (28mm, 16.97 gm, 8h), Susa, ca. 305/4-295 BC. Obv: Head of Seleucus I right, wearing Attic helmet covered with panther skin and decorated with bull horns and ear, panther skin tied around neck; dotted border. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΣΕΛΕΥΚΟΥ, Nike standing right, crowning trophy of arms built on tree, branch at base to right; M below right wing, AX between Nike and trophy below left wing.

This tetradrachm of Seleucus I was minted at Susa on the Attic standard (and so is slightly underweight). It is type ESM 420P of the 'Trophy' series (Newell) which means it was minted towards the end of the series based on hoard evidence. From Heritage "Debate has long swirled regarding the identity of the helmeted hero appearing on the obverse of this type - is it Seleucus I, or Alexander the Great, or a composite demigod incorporating features of Seleucus, Alexander and Dionysus? In the Handbook of Syrian Coins (CNG, 2009), Oliver Hoover opts for identifying the portrait as an idealized image of Seleucus I himself. The reverse design of Nike crowning trophy was paralleled by a nearly simultaneous issue of the Syracusan tyrant Agathocles hundreds of miles away. "

Seleukid Kingdom, Seleukos I Nikator. 312-281 BC. AR Tetradrachm (17,09 gm, 5h 26,8mm ). Babylon I mint. Struck in the name of Alexander III of Macedon, circa 311-300 BC. Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin. Rev: Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; monogram in wreath in left field, HP monogram below throne.

Alexander coinage is extremely hard to attribute given the volume and dispersion of the minting. This was sold as Babylon mint but the closest I can find is Seleucia. Not farfetched as Edward T. Newell had considered the final emission of Babylon should be reattributed to Seleucia on the Tigris under Seleucus I. See plate 3, item 4 of The Early Alexander Coinage at Seleucia On the Tigris. Many thanks to u/beiherhund who noted the issues I was having with attribution and provided an identification as Price 3718 and the following detailed explanation (just shows what you can do with the proper knowledge and experience!) This particular coin is often attributed to Seleukos' second satrapy, circa 311-300 BC. Yet Price originally attributed it to Antigonos' rule of Babylon, circa 316-11 BC. Houghton and Lorber, in Seleucid Coins, seem to be responsible for the downdating to 311-300 BC and you can find their attribution here: http://numismatics.org/sco/id/sc.1.82.8. But more recent research by Lloyd Taylor has placed this type back in 316-311 under Antigonos. I'm inclined to agree with him too as otherwise there's relatively little coinage being minted during Antigonos' time at Babylon and leaves a massive amount to mint when Seleukos comes back.

Lysimachos AR Tetradrachm. ca 297-281 BC. Obv: Head of deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon. Rev: BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΛYΣIMAXOY, Athena seated left, holding spear and Nike.

Margaret Thompson notes that many of the Lysimachus dies from many mints appear to have been the work of the same man. She concludes, "It is not impossible that an individual die-cutter travelled from place to place, but on the whole it seems more likely that there were central workshops for the production of dies and that the dies were then distributed to meet the needs of the various mints." The money of this king is more plentiful than that of any other of the successors of Alexander. His reign may be divided into three periods. This coin is period 3. Unfortunately there is no mint mark on the coin, or it has been worn away - possibly Lampsacus? I.323-311 BC, from the death of Alexander to that of the young Alexander (the son of Roxana). In this period Lysimachus, as Regent in Thrace, struck money in the name of Alexander the Great and of Philip Aridaeus with Alexandrine types. II.311-306 BC, from the death of the son of Roxana to the date of the adoption by Lysimachus of the title Βασιλευς. The coins of this period still bear the name of Alexander, though the letters ΛΥ are frequently added. III.306-281 BC, coins inscribed ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ, at first with types of Alexander, and later with Lysimachus ' own types

Philip III Arrhidaeus. Obv: Head of Herakles on the right, wearing lion skin. Rev: Zeus Aëtophoros seated on the left, cross-legged, naked to the waist, holding an eagle on his right hand and a long sceptre balled on the left; in the field on the left, a bee; in the field on the right, a spearhead, ALEXANDROU. Drachma c. 323-317 BC. Diameter : 17 mm Die: 12 h. Weight : 4.24 g

Arrhidaeus was the elder half-brother of Alexander by Philinna of Larissa. On Alexander's death there was disagreement within the forces as to who should succeed. The Macedonian army in Asia under Meleager wanted Arrhidaeus as king, whilst Perdiccas, who was the general in charge of the Macedonian cavalry, wanted Alexanders then unborn son by Roxane to be king. The compromise position was that they should rule together - an arrangement that was never likely to work. Arrhidaeus took the regnal name Philip III, however he suffered from learning difficulties and was only ever a figurehead in the wars of the Diadochi. The real control lay in the hands of the regent, who initially was Perdiccas. Arrhidaeus married Eurydice, who was an ambitious woman who contested with the regency in order to consolidate power for her husband. On Perdiccas' death (killed by his own soldiers in a failed attempt to defeat Ptolemy in Egypt) the regency passed in quick succession to Antipater, Polyperchon and then Cassander (Antipater's son). However in 317 BC Alexander's mother Olympia, allied with Aeacidea of Epirus, invaded Macedonia. The Macedonian soldiers refused to fight against the mother of Alexander and so Arrhidaeus and Eurydice were captured. Olympias then had Arrhidaeus executed and forced Eurydice to commit suicide. This drachm was listed in the auction as being from the Lampsakos mint however the Price number quoted is for a drachm minted at Magnesia ad Maeandrum - it is actually Price 1936b.

Seleucid Kingdom. Antiochos III 'the Great' (222-187 BC). AR Drachm. Uncertain mint, possibly Apameia on the Orontes. Obv: Diademed head right. Rev: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ. Elephant standing right. Control: Monogram to right. Weight: 4.07 g. Diameter: 17.75 mm

Antiochus III the Great was a Greek Hellenistic king and the 6th ruler of the Seleucid Empire, reigning from 222 to 187 BC. He ruled over the region of Syria and large parts of the rest of western Asia towards the end of the 3rd century BC. Rising to the throne at the age of eighteen in 222 BC, his early campaigns against the Ptolemaic Kingdom were unsuccessful, but in the following years Antiochus gained several military victories and substantially expanded the empire's territory. His traditional designation, the Great, reflects an epithet he assumed. He also assumed the title Basileus Megas (Greek for "Great King"), the traditional title of the Persian kings. A militarily active ruler, Antiochus restored much of the territory of the Seleucid Empire, before suffering a serious setback, towards the end of his reign, in his war against Rome. This coin is minted on the continuing Attic standard used by Alexander (17.2g tetradrachm). Likely to be Group D Series 4, which narrows the dating down to 205-200 BC