Monday 15 July 2019

THE COINS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT AND THE LEGS OF ZEUS ~ SYMBOLISM


The Alexander coin has Heracles on the front (obverse). On the back (reverse)there the Supreme God, Zeus, who is the father of Heracles. Zeus sits on his throne holding a scepter and eagle. Heracles is the greatest hero of the Greeks. Born of God Zeus and mortal Alcmene, Heracles became a God, after leading a heroic life,which included the accomplishment of 12 great tasks on Earth, known as the 12 Labors of Herakles.

There are two main styles on the back (reverse). One has Zeus with his legs side by side and another style has one leg behind the other. While most lifetime issues have Zeus with his legs side by side and most posthumous issues have one leg behind the other.
Learn more here: THE COINS OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT 

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