Gold stater

ca. 330–320 BC

Not on view

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.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Gold stater
Date: ca. 330–320 BC
Culture: Greek, Macedon
Medium: Gold
Dimensions: 11/16 in. (18 mm)
Classification: Coins
Credit Line: Bequest of Nanette B. Kelekian, 2020
Object Number: 2021.40.75
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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