Tetradrachm from the reign of Alexander the Great (336-323 BC). Diameter: 25 mm, weight: 17 gr.

Initially Alexander continued to mint his father Philip's gold and silver coins. Soon, however, the need for a silver coinage that could be widely used in Greece caused him to begin a new coinage on the Athenian weight-standard. His new silver coins, with the head of Herakles on one side and a seated figure of Zeus on the other, also became one of the staple coinages of the Greek world. They were widely imitated within the empire he had forged.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: Website of ’britishmuseum.org’.