Gold stater

Unknown

ca. 330–320 BC · Gold · Greek and Roman Art

Alexander the Great’s principal numismatic achievement was to put into circulation the huge mass of precious metals seized in the Achaemenid palaces when he conquered the Persian Empire. The booty he took, mainly from the great treasuries of Susa and Persepolis, represented the equivalent of 468 tons of gold or 4,580 tons of silver. In many cases, Alexander used the facilities of existing mints to issue his own coinage.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 330–320 BC

Medium

Gold

Culture

Greek, Macedon

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Bequest of Nanette B. Kelekian, 2020