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Description: KINGS OF MACEDON. Philip III Arrhidaios, 323-317 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 25 mm, 17.21 g, 10 h), Babylon, struck under Archon, Dokimos, or Seleukos I. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ - ΦΙΛΙΠΠOY Zeus seated left on low throne, holding long scepter in his left hand and eagle standing right with closed wings in his right; to left, M; below throne, ΛΥ. Price P181. Test cut, otherwise, very fine.
History: This coin was minted by Philip III after the death of Alexander the Great. The stayle of the coin is nearly identical to the drachm minted during Alexander's reign, but is signed by Philip III. Philip III Arrhidaeus was the king of Macedonia from after June 11, 323 BC until his death. He was a son of King Philip II of Macedonia by Philinna of Larissa, allegedly a Thessalian dancer, and a half-brother of Alexander the Great. Named Arrhidaeus at birth, he assumed the name Philip when he ascended to the throne. His brother Alexander, King of Macedonia, began ruling immediately after the death of their father Philip II. Alexander is credited to have brought the Greek Empire to its peak. Through his conquests, he minted the coins this was based upon in many variations of type and style.
Each bears the face of Herakles (Hercules) wearing a headdress of the Nemean Lion. This animal was fierce and virtually indestructible, so using his super-human strength and intelligence, Herakles decided to strangle the lion since he was unable to cut through its skin. After he killed the lion, he used its own razor sharp claws to remove its hide, and forever after Herakles wore the lion's skin for protection and as a symbol of his victory. Alexander wanted to be like Herakles, and was also known to wear a lion’s skin, invoking his strength and courage.
On the obverse, Zeus is enthroned, holding an eagle in one hand and royal scepter in the other with the name “Alexander” inscribed on the side. These coins continued to circulate hundreds of years after the death of Alexander the Great.
