Description
19 X 19 mm sterling silver 925 Alexander the Great Chain 50 cm sterling Silver 925 high quality Stater of King Lysimachus of Thrace, Black Sea region, struck c. 297/6-282/1 BC On the coin, the head of the deified Alexander the Great wearing a diadem with fluttering ends & with the horn of Ammon around his ear. On the reverse, Athena, wearing robes & a helmet, seated on a throne, holding Nike & resting her elbow on large round shield adorned with a gorgoneion on the inner left, a race torch on the throne, monogram. M. Lysimachus was a Macedonian officer & successor of Alexander the Great, who eventually became king of Thrace, Asia Minor & Macedon. He had been one of Alexander's trusted bodyguards during his Persian campaigns. Since Alexander didn't leave an heir when he died in 323 BC, a power struggle soon erupted between various successors for control of the empire. They argued about who should rule which part & each of them tried to make themselves look like his lawful heir. One of the best ways to do this this was to mint coins with Alexander's picture, but with their own name inscribed on them. That is exactly what Lysimachus did. Lysimachus did eventually issue coinage solely in his name, like the one pictured here, which featured a different design than the one originally employed by Alexander. This coin features an idealized portrait of the deified Alexander on the obverse, & a seated Athena holding Nike on the reverse. These types of Lysimachus' coins were popular enough in commerce to be adopted & imitated in other places, & by other kings up until the 1st century BC. The coins of Lysimachus are some of the most beautiful & realistic portraits from Hellenistic Greece. Filled with symbols & meanings, ancient Greek coins are some of the first coins ever minted, & feature legendary Gods, Heroes, classical art, & unique, subtle details that celebrate the civilization that still impacts us every day. Browse our collection of Ancient Greek coin jewelry & meet Alexander the Great, Athena & her Owl of Wisdom, Hercules & the Lion, the Boy on the Dolphin, Zeus, Helios & more. Ancient Art Greek jewelry direct from our workshop in Athens CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY Our products are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity stating that they are original Gods & Heroes Athens products, handmade & ensuring the best quality. Alexander The Great Copy Ancient Greek Coin Meander Jewelry Handmade Silver 925
