Stater of Alexander the Great

Stater of Alexander the Great

gold

Obv.: Athena head, coiled snake on Corinthian helmet with flowering crests. <br />Rev.: <em>Nike</em> (Victory) standing, wreath in right hand, stylis in left hand; mint symbols. <br />Significance: The types of Athena and Nike would have appealed to Greeks everywhere. The <em>stylis </em>(mast) is usually the symbol of a naval victory. While Nike clearly recalls the successes of Alexander in battle, it could also have been copied from an actual monument in Athens. Alexandrian gold staters were widely minted and show many variations in style according to the capabilities of the engravers. Monogram of <em>Nu</em> and <em>Omega</em> in left field.

Macedonian

Purchased from BA Seaby Ltd, London, with funds from Mrs B Fletcher and the Alumni Association of The University of Queensland Inc, 1980.

336 - 323 BC

3.48 mm x 18.08 mm

C.014