KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336-323 BC. Tetradrachm (Silver, 31 mm, 16.30 g, 1 h), Samos, circa 201. Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress. Rev. AΛEΞANΔPOY 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, star before prow to left. Barron -. Price -. Apparently unpublished, a very interesting issue. Graffito of ΠT on the reverse, otherwise, very fine.


This issue was likely struck during the short occupation of Samos by Philip V of Macedon in 201. It is tempting, albeit very speculative, to see the ΠT graffito on the reverse as a reference to the reconquest of Samos by the Ptolemies shortly thereafter, in whose possession the island remained until 197, when it was handed over to the Rhodians by the Roman general Flaminius.