Struck in the influential city of Perge in Pamphylia, this AR tetradrachm carries the enduring imagery of Alexander III long after his death—proof that his iconography remained the universal language of power in the Hellenistic world.
Minted circa 221–188 BC, generations after Alexander’s conquests, the coin preserves the familiar types: Heracles in the lion skin on the obverse and Zeus enthroned on the reverse. These designs were retained not out of tradition alone, but because they were trusted, recognizable, and authoritative across vast territories.
What sets this example apart is the ancient countermark—a powerful testament to continued circulation and official revalidation. Countermarks were applied by civic or regional authorities to reaffirm value, regulate currency, or adapt older issues for new political realities. Rather than a flaw, the countermark is a historical endorsement, adding an extra chapter to the coin’s life.
Region: Pamphylia
City: Perge
Date: c. 221–188 BC
Denomination: AR Tetradrachm
Type: Alexander III types (Heracles / Zeus)
Grade: Choice Fine
Special Feature: Ancient countermark
This coin is not just a product of Alexander’s legacy—it is evidence of how his monetary system endured, adapted, and remained relevant decades after his empire fractured.
A compelling piece for collectors drawn to Hellenistic history, Alexander-type coinage, or ancient coins with visible marks of real-world use and revalidation.
Struck in the influential city of Perge in Pamphylia, this AR tetradrachm carries the enduring imagery of Alexander III long after his death—proof that his iconography remained the universal language of power in the Hellenistic world.
Minted circa 221–188 BC, generations after Alexander’s conquests, the coin preserves the familiar types: Heracles in the lion skin on the obverse and Zeus enthroned on the reverse. These designs were retained not out of tradition alone, but because they were trusted, recognizable, and authoritative across vast territories.
What sets this example apart is the ancient countermark—a powerful testament to continued circulation and official revalidation. Countermarks were applied by civic or regional authorities to reaffirm value, regulate currency, or adapt older issues for new political realities. Rather than a flaw, the countermark is a historical endorsement, adding an extra chapter to the coin’s life.
Region: Pamphylia
City: Perge
Date: c. 221–188 BC
Denomination: AR Tetradrachm
Type: Alexander III types (Heracles / Zeus)
Grade: Choice Fine
Special Feature: Ancient countermark
This coin is not just a product of Alexander’s legacy—it is evidence of how his monetary system endured, adapted, and remained relevant decades after his empire fractured.
A compelling piece for collectors drawn to Hellenistic history, Alexander-type coinage, or ancient coins with visible marks of real-world use and revalidation.
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