The Tetradrachm Treasure of Alexander the Great in the Kırşehir Museum

Abstract

This coin collection of the Directorate of the Kırşehir Museum comprises 32 silver tetradrachms. The names of Alexander the Great (336-323 BC), king of Macedonia, and his brother Philip III (323-316 BC), who succeeded him as king, are inscribed on these coins. The collection also has posthumous coins in the name of Alexander. They were commissioned by Seleucus I (312-280 BC), founder of the Seleucid dynasty, whose name is not written on these coins. Fourteen different mints produced these coins, mostly mints from the eastern part of his empire, the Eastern Mints. The obverse and reverse of many of these coins bear cut marks made by merchants for quality control. The earliest minted coin in the Collection is from the mint of Macedonia-Amphipolis and dates to the years 336-323 BC. The latest coins are those minted in Persia-Ecbatana, dating to the years 311-295 BC. These are posthumous coins in the name of Alexander, commissioned by Seleucus I.