KINGS OF MACEDON. Alexander III ‘the Great’, 336-323 BC. Stater (Gold, 17 mm, 8.56 g, 3 h), Tarsos, struck under Balakros or Menes, 332/1-327. Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet decorated with a winged lion springing right. Rev. AΛEΞANΔΡOΥ Nike standing front, head to left, with her wings spread, holding laurel wreath in her right hand and stylis in her left; below right wing, kerykeion. Price 3458 ('Byblos'). Rare. Lustrous and attractive. A few minor marks, otherwise, nearly extremely fine.


This type is believed to be the earliest Athena-Nike stater of Alexander, forming the prototype for all later issues. What makes this coin especially interesting is the animal on the bowl of the helmet: it is clearly not a sphinx or a griffin, but a winged lion.