GREEK COINS
Kings of Macedon
Alexander III 'the Great', 336-323 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 30mm, 16.72g 12), Odessus, c. 125-70. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion's skin headdress. Rev. ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ Zeus Aëtophoros seated left; ΘE above knee, ΟΔΗ monogram underneath the throne. Price 1181. A splendid, bright, sharply struck example. Good extremely fine.
From a Swiss collection.
Coins like this, which were made to pay both Roman and Pontic armies in the late 2nd and first half of the 1st century BC, utilized the old, familiar types of Alexander III since their intended recipients trusted them more than any other. However, as can easily be seen, their style was quite different from their later 4th century prototypes; they have a kind of florid grandeur that is remarkable.