Ancient Greece - 336-323 BCE Kingdom of Macedon Alexander (the Great) III Stater NGC AU Fine Style

Kingdom of Macedon. Issue of Seleukos I Nikator AV Stater. In the name and types of Alexander (the Great) III of Macedon. NGC AU Fine Style, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. 8.57 gr. A stunning work of classical Greek numismatic art. The obverse displays the head of Athena to the right, wearing pendant earring, necklace and triple-crested Corinthian helmet pushed back on head, with short curled crest ends, the bowl decorated with coiled serpent. Upon the reverse is found Nike standing facing, head to the left, holding wreath and stylis. BAΣIΛEΩΣ is to left, with AΛEΞANΔPOY to right. MI is below the left wing, and a monogram is located within a wreath below the right wing. 

Portrait of Seleucus I Nicator, Roman artwork of the Imperial era made in a Syrian workshop after a Hellenistic model. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

The year 336 BC saw Alexander became ruler of Macedonia after the killing of his father Philip II. Located in the northeastern section of modern Greece, ancient Macedonia had become formidable under Philip II. Nonetheless, even though he was only 20 years old, Alexander launched a considerable 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).

Many of the coastal cities of Asia Minor were populated by Greek-speaking people, however they were ruled by the Persians. Therefore, Alexander invaded Asia Minor to free the Greeks from Persian rule and push them out. The armies of Alexander swooped down into Egypt and then circled back, swallowing up land from there to India. For thirteen long years, every army that faced the forces of Alexander was defeated. However, while traveling back home to Macedonia through Babylon, in 323 BC Alexander died at the age of 33.