The Prospero Collection of Ancient Greek Coins. KINGDOM OF MACEDON. Alexander III, The Great (336-323 B.C.), Silver Tetradrachm of 2 Shekels, 15.72g,. Minted at Babylon, struck c.327 B.C. Elephant walking to right, carrying two figures, one turning to look to left and holding a long standard, the other, in front, holding a goad. Rev. Charioteer driving a galloping quadriga to right, an archer stands in the chariot beside the driver, drawing a bow (M. Price, ‘Circulation at Babylon in 323 B.C.’, Mnemata: Papers in Memory of Nancy M. Waggoner, p. 70, 26 (this coin – plate 15, showing the Leu example (no. 25), is incorrectly numbered); Mitchiner Type 21i). Small metal-flaw on reverse, lightly toned, well-centred for these, good fine, exceedingly rare and im por tant. This coin published in ‘Circulation at Babylon in 323 B.C.,’ M. Price, Mnemata: Papers in Memory of Nancy M. Waggoner (1989), p. 70, 26. Purchased from Spink & Son Ltd., London, 15 July 1989 This exceedingly rare tetradrachm of two shekels appeared on the market in 1989 and was published by Martin Price in the same year, alongside the other two known examples. It seems likely that it forms part of the same series as the dekadrachm and tetradrachm in the previous two lots. The obverse of the coin features the Indian elements that have already been seen on the previous coins. The reverse is full of animation, with an archer firing his bow from a galloping chariot. The exact context of this issue is still a little enigmatic and worthy of further research. US$ 15,000
type to read more