Hellenistic Portrait Coins
After the death of Alexander the Great, his empire was divided among his generals
and turned into several independent kingdoms. The rise of kings in this period is
reflected on coins, which often bear the portrait of the monarch. Under the various
dynasties, the arts were promoted and royal portraits became a common feature of coinage.
Silver tetradrachmon
(287-282 BC) of Lysimachus (323-281 BC) depicting Alexander the Great.
Gold pentadrachmon of
Ptolemy I Soter (305-283 BC) of Egypt.
Silver dekadrachmon of
Ptolemy II Philopator (282-246 BC) portraying his wife, Arsinoe II.
Silver tetradrachmon
(c. 280 BC) of Philetaerus (c. 343-263 BC) portraying Seleucus I Nicator.
Silver tetradrachmon of
Eucratides I (170-145 BC) from Bactria (Afghanistan).
Silver tetradrachmon of
Mithradates VI of Pontus (120-63 BC) with wind-tossed hair reminiscent of portraits
of Alexander.
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