Ancient Greece - 336-323 BCE Kingdom of Macedon Alexander III AR Drachm NGC Choice MS

MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Alexander III the Great (336-323 BC). AR Drachm (4.28 gm). NGC Choice MS Strike: 5/5 Surface: 5/5. Early posthumous issue, struck at the Sardes Mint, ca. 320/19 BC. Obverse: Head of Heracles facing to the right, wearing lion-skin headdress, with paws tied before neck. Reverse: AΛEΞANΔPOY, Zeus seated left on backless throne, right leg drawn back, foot on stool, eagle in right hand, scepter in left; bee above TI in left field. References: Price 2626. Thompson Series XIV, 288c. Attractive, lustrous piece with hints of gold and russet patina.

Roman copy of original 3rd century BC Greek bust of Alexander, Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen. Photo: wikimedia.org.

It was in 336 BC that Alexander became ruler of Macedonia after the murder of his father Philip II. Situated in the northeastern region of modern Greece, ancient Macedonia had become powerful under Philip II. Despite being only 20 years old, Alexander launched a massive military campaign against the Persian Empire. The area of controversy between the Greeks and Persians was Asia Minor (modern day Turkey before the arrival of the Turks). Most of the coastal cities of Asia Minor were populated by Greek-speaking people, however they were ruled by the Persians. Thus Alexander invaded Asia Minor to free the Greeks and push out the Persians. The armies of Alexander swooped down into Egypt and then circled back, swallowing up land from there to India. Every army that faced the forces of Alexander was defeated for 13 years. However, while traveling back home to Macedonia through Babylon, Alexander died at the age of 33 in 323 BC.