MACEDON, Kings of, Alexander III. 336-323 BC. AV Distater (17.24 gm). Pella mint. Struck circa 325-315 BC. Helmeted head of Athena right /
ALEXANDR[OU], Nike standing left, holding wreath and stylis; bee in left field. Price 201; Müller -. EF/VF, exceptional oversized flan. $12,500.
CNR XXVII, June 2002, lot 16.
The 2nd known distater from Pella, and a medallic issue!
Alexander's distaters were the heaviest gold coins produced by the Greeks up to that time. They were probably coined as part of a larger donative issue with associated fractional denominations and a corresponding issue in the name of Philip II, Alexander's father. The distater was the largest Macedonian denomination struck in Alexander's name, and was coined to bolster support for Alexander's succession as the ruling sovereign. The distribution of these large coins helped insure the success of the anti-Persian campaign proposed by Philip II to the Hellenes whose support was vital for the stability of Alexander's role as leader of this great mission.
The iconography of Alexander's gold coinage, in particular the distater and stater, reflects his desire to unite the Hellenistic world against their common foe, the Persians. The war goddess Athena wears the Corinthian helmet which may represent the League of Corinth, the federal organization of Greek city-states led by Alexander and originated by his father, Philip II. The figure of Nike with her naval standard may be another type intended to unify the Greeks against the Persians as it may commemorate the great victory over the Persian naval force at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC.
