Ancient Greece - 336-323 BCE Kingdom of Macedon Alexander (the Great) III Stater NGC AU

This is a stunning work of classical numismatic art. Obverse presents head of Athena right, her hair flowing loose in waves with curled ends and over the shoulder. She is wearing pendant earring, necklace and triple-crested Corinthian helmet pushed back on head, with short curled crest ends, the bowl decorated with coiled serpent. Reverse AΛEΞANΔPOY, Nike advancing to the left, carrying a wreath in her outstretched right hand, stylis cradled in her left arm. Trident in left field and AI below her right wing.

Depiction of Alexander the Great in the Alexander Mosaic. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

It was in 336 BCE that Alexander became ruler of Macedonia after the murder of his father Philip II. Situated in the northeastern region of modern Greece, ancient Macedonia had become powerful under Philip II. Despite being only 20 years old, Alexander launched a massive military campaign against the Persian Empire. The area of controversy between the Greeks and Persians was Asia Minor (modern day Turkey before the arrival of the Turks). Most of the coastal cities of Asia Minor were populated by Greek-speaking people, however they were ruled by the Persians. 

Thus Alexander invaded Asia Minor to free the Greeks and push out the Persians. The armies of Alexander swooped down into Egypt and then circled back, swallowing up land from there to India. Every army that faced the forces of Alexander was defeated for 13 years. However, while traveling back home to Macedonia through Babylon, Alexander died at the age of 33 in 323 BCE.