Macedonia, Alexander (III) the Great

Description

Alexander the Great required huge sums of money to conquer his empire. He introduced a new currency based on the Attic standard, in gold the stater, and in silver the tetradrachmon. On the obverse the stater bears the head of Athena, protrectress of Greek heroes. Alexander's whole campaign was dedicated to Athena, and avenging the destruction of her city of Athens and the sacking of her acropolis by the Persians in 480 BC. The reverse bears Nike, the winged goddess of victory, in a long flowing robe. In her right hand she holds a wreath, and a decorated 'stylis', the sternpost of a Greek ship, is supported in her left arm; a pennant and ribbons are hung on it as decorations. The stater bearing Nike enjoyed long lived success, continuing to be struck into the C1 BC throughout the area that had been Alexander's empire.