Contorniates, late 4th-early 5h century. Contorniate (Bronze, 35 mm, 22.46 g, 7 h), in the name of Alexander 'the Great' (336-323 BC). ALEXANDER MA-GNVS MACEDON Head of Alexander 'the Great' to right, wearing lion skin headdress; behind, monogram of PE (engraved). Rev. SOL-I INVICTO Sol, radiate, standing front, head to left, in spread quadriga, raising his right hand in salute and holding globe in his left. Alföldi 5 and pl. 2, 8 (same dies). Very rare and with attractive earthen highlights. Faint cleaning scratches, otherwise, fine.

This interesting contorniate shows Alexander III on the obverse, the greatest of all Greek kings and role model for so many Roman emperors. In late antiquity, it was Julian II in particular who was a great admirer of the Macedonian hero, praising him numerous times in his writings and imitating his way of leadership during his own Persian campaign. It is worth noting that the legend on this contorniate explicitly calls the Macedonian King magnus, 'great', which is the first numismatic record for the use of Alexander's classic epithet