Lot 3489

Description

Macedon, Kingdom of, Alexander III, (336-323 B.C.), silver tetradrachm, (17.206 grams), Memphis mint (Egypt), issued c.325 B.C., obv. head of Herakles to right wearing lion skin with dotted border, rev. Zeus seated on throne to left, eagle in outstretched hand, rose to left, **DI* O under throne, to right **[A]LEXANDROU*, (cf.S.6713, Price 3971, BMC 3971a-e, M.124, Demanhur hoard 4614ff., Zervos issue I, type 2C). Well centred, attractive even grey patination, extremely fine and very rare in this condition.

Ex Munzen & Medaillen list 600 (Basle, Switzerland) (No.14). This coin typical of the standard type of Alexander's silver tetradrachm coinage. It is a lifetime issue of the finest style that has been attributed by scholars to being struck at Memphis, Egypt. That is confirmed by die-links and style evolution to others of this first issue particularly with the use of distinct Egyptian symbols and the rare inscriptions with Ptolemy' name in association with Alexander, confirm the origon of this coin type. This example represents one of the finest of this mint available to collectors for its lack of wear, its fine centering and attractive grey cabinet patina.