Alexander Coins

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Karla

Alexander Coins

Post by Karla »

Hey All,I have began collecing Alexander's coins some months ago and was wondering is anyone else is doing the same. FYI, coins of Alexander were not only minted during his reign, but also hundreds of years after his death, so many fine coins remain today. The difficulty is in finding one that was minted during the time of Alexander himself. Currently, I have Alexander's silver drachm Hercules(Alexander?) on obverse, enthroned Zues on reverse *and* Alexander's bronze drachm Hercules(Alexander?) on obverse, bow and arrowcase on reverse.Thanks!
beausefaless
Hetairos (companion)
Posts: 669
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:20 am

Re: Alexander Coins

Post by beausefaless »

Greetings Karla,So have I, It's not too hard to purchase lifetime Alexander's (Zeus's legs uncrossed) but as you know the coins in better condition the higher the worth ($300.00 to $1,000.00). I have a few lifetime Alexander's and just recently I was the highest bidder in a auction and paid $360 which included shipping, description:AR Tetradrachm. (16.55gm). Mesembria mint. Struck 175-125 BC. Well centered on large 33mm flan. Very nicely toned. Extremely fine details, legends and monograms. A superb example of this large silver coin. Obverse: Head of Heracles right wearing lions skin headdress Reverse: Zeus seated left, holding eagle and scepter; Corinthian helmet and A left, legends in Greek before and behind throne. Monogram under throne. Grades XF/XF. Price 1060; Muller 471.I will send a picture of the obverse and reverse to you. Plus I'll break out my camera and send you photos of my lifetime Alexander's in a few days.All the best,
Andrew
agesilaos
Strategos (general)
Posts: 2180
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2002 3:16 pm
Location: LONDON

Re: Alexander Coins

Post by agesilaos »

For portraits of Alexander Lysimachos' coinages are the best and there is one beautiful Seleukos Nikator of him in a Panther skin helmet, at only -ú5k I'll have two, and earlier Ptolemy I bronzes and tetradrachms with the elephant headress too.
When you think about, it free-choice is the only possible option.
ruthaki
Strategos (general)
Posts: 1229
Joined: Sat Jul 13, 2002 5:31 pm
Location: Vancouver B.C. Canada

Re: Alexander Coins

Post by ruthaki »

You lucky guys! I just have to copies, (The Lysimachos ones) One on a medallion and one on a ring. I love them just the same as if they were 'real'.
karla

Re: Alexander Coins

Post by karla »

Andrew, thanks for the pictures. It looks like something I had seen at Ebay a little while ago, did you purshase from there by any chance? It's true that lifetime ones are still widely avaible, thiugh sometimes they can be quite expensive, especially if the seller knows that it is lifetime. Was also wondering where might be the best place to purchase them (in terms of price and availability). I have bought mine from ebay, because I noticed that they can be cheaper there. The only problem is some of the the sellers do not offer a guarantee of authenticity...
beausefaless
Hetairos (companion)
Posts: 669
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:20 am

Re: Alexander Coins

Post by beausefaless »

Greetings Karla,That was the coin offered on ebay, the obverse and reverse was very close to AU. I went and got a very nice Alexander from my safe deposit box. This lifetime coin is beautiful (Cilicia, mint of Tarus, 323-319BC), with Nike holding a crown below the eagle perched on Zeus's hand, very rare. I stole this coin in a auction ($210.00) two years ago, I will say the seller and the other buyers did not know what he had, that coin is worth a lot of money today, I will send a couple of pictures shortly. Almost anyone can create a certificate of authenticity. The best way to check the authenticity of these ancient coins is by books, Price, Hyla A. Troxell, The Search for Alexander1983 the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. These books appear on ebay every so often.
karla

Re: Alexander Coins

Post by karla »

Andrew,That is a superb coin!!! I've never seen an Alexander coin as fine as this one, you are so lucky to have spotted it.... You are right, ~$200.00 is nothing compared to how mush this costs today. Hold on to this one...
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