1980 - Macedonian Coin
This Macedonian Stater of Alexander III (also called Alexander the Great) entered the collection in 1980, thanks to a donation by Mrs Betty Fletcher, philanthropist and future patron of the Friends of Antiquity group, and the Alumni Association of The University of Queensland.
The coin was the first gold artefact acquired by the Museum and is an important type for scholars of Alexander III and his father, Philip II. The obverse (front) of the coin depicts Athena wearing a Corinthian helmet, while the reverse depicts Nike (victory) standing with a wreath in her right hand and a mast in her left. Alexander dedicated the spoils from his victory over the Persians at Granicus in 334 BC to Athena, in the name of the Corinthian League, formed by Phillip II after the Battle of Charonea in order to unite with the Greek states in war against the Persians. The depiction of both Athena and Nike on this coin was intended by Alexander to highlight himself as a victorious conqueror and king, throughout his campaigns. The presence of Nike on the gold staters of Alexander, in particular, highlighted the king’s desire to be viewed as synonymous with victory.