Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Rare Alexander the Great-era silver coin for sale in Australia
A very old silver coin is for sale in Australia.
It comes from the time of Alexander the Great, a famous king who lived more than 2,000 years ago.
The coin was made between 323 and 317 BC in a city called Babylon.
One side shows Herakles, a hero wearing a lion's skin on his head.
The other side shows Zeus, a Greek god, sitting on a throne and holding an eagle.
The coin is small, about 25 millimetres wide, and weighs about 17 grams.
It costs $2,150, which is a lot of money for a coin.
People who collect old coins love it because it is rare and beautiful.
Long ago, coins like this were used to pay soldiers and buy things across Alexander's big empire.
Even after Alexander died, leaders kept making coins with his picture on them.
A silver tetradrachm from Alexander the Great's era is listed on Rare Coins Melbourne for $2,150 (approximately ₹2.05 lakh).
The coin dates to 323–317 BC and was minted in the Macedonian region at the Babylon mint.
Its obverse shows Herakles wearing a lion-skin headdress; the reverse depicts Zeus seated on a backless throne holding an eagle.
The coin measures 25 mm in diameter, weighs 17.19 grams, and was previously in a private collection acquired from Kunsthandel Mike Zilverberg in Amsterdam.
Silver tetradrachms served as standard international currency across Alexander's empire, and successors kept minting coins in his likeness after his death in 323 BC.
- Who
- Rare Coins Melbourne is selling the coin, which features Herakles and Zeus and dates to the era of Alexander the Great.
- What
- A rare silver tetradrachm from Alexander the Great's era is listed for sale at $2,150.
- When
- The coin dates to 323–317 BC; the listing is currently active in Australia.
- Where
- Listed by Rare Coins Melbourne in Australia; the coin was minted at the Babylon mint and previously acquired from Kunsthandel Mike Zilverberg in Amsterdam.
- Why
- The coin is sought after for its artistic mastery, military symbolism, and connection to Alexander's empire.
- Price
- $2,150 (approximately ₹2.05 lakh)
- Date
- 323–317 BC
- Mint
- Babylon mint, Macedonian region
- Diameter
- 25 mm
- Weight
- 17.19 grams
- Seller
- Rare Coins Melbourne
- Obverse
- Head of Herakles wearing lion-skin headdress
- Reverse
- Zeus seated on backless throne holding an eagle