Alexandria's founded by Alexander

Alexandria's founded by Alexander the Great (by year BC): 334 Alexandria in Troia (Turkey) - 333 Alexandria at Issus/Alexandrette (Iskenderun, Turkey) - 332 Alexandria of Caria/by the Latmos (Alinda, Turkey) - 331 Alexandria Mygdoniae - 331 Alexandria (Egypt) - 330 Alexandria Ariana (Herat, Afghanistan) - 330 Alexandria of the Prophthasia/in Dragiana/Phrada (Farah, Afghanistan) - 330 Alexandria in Arachosia (Kandahar, Afghanistan) - 330 Alexandria in the Caucasus (Begram, Afghanistan) - 329 Alexandria of the Paropanisades (Ghazni, Afghanistan) - 329 Alexandria Eschate or Ultima (Khodjend, Tajikistan) - 329 Alexandria on the Oxus (Termez, Afghanistan) - 328 Alexandria in Margiana (Merv, Turkmenistan) - 326 Alexandria Nicaea (on the Hydaspes, India) - 326 Alexandria Bucephala (on the Hydaspes, India) - 325 Alexandria Sogdia - 325 Alexandria Oreitide - 325 Alexandria in Opiene / Alexandria on the Indus (confluence of Indus & Acesines, India) - 325 Alexandria Rambacia (Bela, Pakistan) - 325 Alexandria Xylinepolis (Patala, India) - 325 Alexandria in Carminia (Gulashkird, Iran) - 324 Alexandria-on-the-Tigris/Antiochia-in-Susiana/Charax (Spasinou Charax on the Tigris, Iraq) - ?Alexandria of Carmahle? (Kahnu)

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Macedonian coins allegedly found at Amphipolis for sale?

It is still unclear whether these fifteen Macedonians coins will really be put up for sale later this month by the German auctioneers Gorny & Mosch in Munich.

[Picture from The Greek Reporter]

The coins belonging to the reign of Alexander the Great and of his father, King Philip II of Macedonia, and seem to be linked to the monumental tomb at Kasta Hill. The estimated asking price is 500 Euros, though the coins could be sold for a much higher price and certainly if the link with Amphipolis can be traced.

There must a law against such sales. In my naivety I expect that the seller should be able to prove the legal and rightful acquisition of such coins, but I have the feeling that the black markets are still thriving … unfortunately.

Highlights of the collection on sale include:
-        a tetradrachm from 356-355 BC carrying the name of PHILIP on the reverse and a picture of Zeus on the obverse
-        a tetradrachm from 355-349/8 BC depicting the head of Zeus with a laurel wreath on the obverse
-        a tetradrachm from 336-323 BC reading KING ALEXANDER on the reverse and showing the head of Heracles on the obverse.
-        a stater from 330-320 BC with the head of Athena wearing a Corinthian helmet on the obverse and the name ALEXANDER on the reverse.

I can’t help wondering whether these coins are authentic or good imitations. In any case, it would be lovely to put one of the Alexander coins on display in my house, wouldn’t it?

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