Alexander the Great (Alexander III of Macedon) was born 356 BC and died in 323 BC. By the age of 33 he had conquered most of the known ancient world. Tutored from childhood by Aristotle himself, he is thought of having one of the great minds of history, strategic brilliance and magnetic charisma. I am indebted to my father for living, but to my ...

Alexander the Great (Alexander III of Macedon) was born 356 BC and died in 323 BC. By the age of 33 he had conquered most of the known ancient world. Tutored from childhood by Aristotle himself, he is thought of having one of the great minds of history, strategic brilliance and magnetic charisma. I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well. (quote of Alexander)

Alexander's conquests were notably the first time that a form of 'globalization' was to have occurred in history, spreading the Greek language and ideals in culture, science, the arts, commerce and currency. The extent of his empire was vast, reaching as far as India and modern-day Afghanistan.

After the death of Alexander in 323 BC, owing to the fierce competition of his successors (diadochoi), his enormous empire was broken up into 7 independent dominions. This marked the end of the classical age and the beginning of the Hellenistic period.

There are 2 common types of Alexander the Great coins featured extensively in our coin jewelry collection.

1) Coins which were issued during Alexander's LIFETIME (often depicting the god Hercules or Athena) Hercules's image on Alexander the Great's lifetime coins was a tribute to the semi-god. It is said that out of 'modesty' Alexander did not want to provoke the gods by depicting his own image and chose Hercules instead. This way Alexander could cleverly also be widely associated with the virility and strength of Hercules himself.

2) Coins issued immediately after Alexander the Great's death by his successor King Lysimachus of Macedon. These coins DEPICTED ALEXANDER the Great himself in some of the most beautiful coin portraiture seen in universal coinage.