Coin: Tetradrachm, Macedonia

"COIN OF ALEXANDER: The head on this coin is that of the demigod Heracles, whom Alexander admired and imitated. Alexander claimed that he was descended from Heracles, and on several occasions he even dressed like Heracles." -John Buckler and John McKay, A History of Western Society, (Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1979), 79.

This Greek coin is a silver Tetradrachm most likely from Macedonia in northern Greece. It was probably struck in the mid-4th century BCE. The obverse is a profile of Hercules, son of Zeus and symbol of strength, wearing his usual lion’s skin. The reverse is a seated Zeus, Greek king of the gods. In his right hand he holds an eagle and in his left, a scepter. To the right of Zeus are the letters ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (Alpha Lambda Epsilon Xi Alpha Nu Delta Rho Omicron Upsilon) for Alexander the Great.

Buckler, John, and John McKay. A History of Western Society. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1979.