Gold stater of Alexander III of Macedon (336-323 BC)
Ν2535
Metal (Gold)
Very good
Diameter: 1.8 cm. Weight: 8.53 gr. Axis: 120ο.
Idaean Cave
North Niche
Roman period (the dedication):
Minted: 317-311 BC Dedicated: 1st c. BC/1st c. AD:
Gallery:
XVIICase:
169Exhibition thematic unit:
Geometric - Archaic - Classical period (10th - 4th c. BC). The Sanctuaries. From Minoan cult to the amalgamation of religious beliefsSacred Caves
Description
Gold stater of Alexander III of Macedonia (336-323 BC). Posthumous issue of the Babylonian mint in 317-311 BC. Obverse: Head of Athena wearing Corinthian helmet right. Obverse: Nike left with wreath in her extended right hand and stylis in her left. Inscription ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟ[Υ] (“of King Alexander”) in field on left and right. Η - monogram in wreath. The dotted inscription ΠΟΛΥΡΗΝΙΩΝ (“of the Polyrrhenians”) was added later around the edge. This is a distinctive votive offering by the city of Polyrrhenia to the Idaean Zeus in the form of a minted coin rather than a cult vessel, many years after the coin was issued. The dotted inscription is meant to “remind” the gods of the dedicator city.Bibliography:
E. Sakellaraki - J. Sakellarakis, Το Ιδαίο άντρο. Ιερό και μαντείο, Athens 2013, vol. Β, 221, 223, vol. Γ, pl. 129,5. Μ. Lagogianni-Georgarakos, "Τα νομίσματα του Ιδαίου Άντρου", Αρχαιολογική Εφημερίδα 2003, 21-23 and 58, no. 33. For the type see M. Price, The Coinage in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus, Zurich-London 1991, vol. I, 472, no. 3707, vol. ΙI, pl. ΧΙΙΙ.Author:
K. S.Photographs' metadata