Silver Tetradrachma of Alexander III the Great, 336 BCE - 323 CE
Silver-Ruby-Diamond
FJ.6454
This Coin is Set in an 18 Karat Gold Pendant Containing 8 Rubies and 36 Diamonds As son of the powerful King Philip II of Macedon and Olympias, Alexander was...
This Coin is Set in an 18 Karat Gold Pendant Containing 8 Rubies and 36 Diamonds
As son of the powerful King Philip II of Macedon and Olympias, Alexander was poised for greatness from an early age. Tutored by the Greek philosopher Aristotle and highly trained in military exercises, he proved himself a brave and resourceful soldier at the battle of Chaeronea (338). Alexander lost no time realizing his father's dream of a Pan-Hellenic empire, eventually creating a kingdom stretching from Greece to India. His achievements were so monumental the true character of Alexander is lost in myth and legend; though the portrait on his coinage is probably quite accurate. This extremely fine tetradrachm shows the likeness of the king as Hercules, facing right wearing lion's skin in imitation of the one worn by the mythical hero. On the reverse is the father of the gods, Zeus, seated holding sceptre in his left hand with an eagle perched on his right. The legend surrounds the figure. It is fitting that the image of someone who radiated a superhuman presence while living, should be enshrined by glittering rubies and diamonds of a beautiful pendant.
As son of the powerful King Philip II of Macedon and Olympias, Alexander was poised for greatness from an early age. Tutored by the Greek philosopher Aristotle and highly trained in military exercises, he proved himself a brave and resourceful soldier at the battle of Chaeronea (338). Alexander lost no time realizing his father's dream of a Pan-Hellenic empire, eventually creating a kingdom stretching from Greece to India. His achievements were so monumental the true character of Alexander is lost in myth and legend; though the portrait on his coinage is probably quite accurate. This extremely fine tetradrachm shows the likeness of the king as Hercules, facing right wearing lion's skin in imitation of the one worn by the mythical hero. On the reverse is the father of the gods, Zeus, seated holding sceptre in his left hand with an eagle perched on his right. The legend surrounds the figure. It is fitting that the image of someone who radiated a superhuman presence while living, should be enshrined by glittering rubies and diamonds of a beautiful pendant.