Alexander the Great - Tetradrachme! (JA2223)

Alexander III the Great (336-323 BC). AR tetradrachm (26mm, 16.96 gm, 12h). Early posthumous issue of Babylon, under Peithon, ca. 315-311 BC. Head of Heracles right, wearing lion skin headdress / AΛEΞANΔPOY, Zeus seated left, holding eagle and scepter, BAΣIΛEΩΣ below,  monogram in wreath in left field, XA monogram below throne. Price 3723. Peithon was originally one of Alexander the Great's bodyguards. At a conclave of generals following the conqueror's death, Peithon was appointed Satrap (or governor) of the important province of Media, containing Babylon. During the early Wars of the Diadochi (322-281 BC), Peithon was a major player and could easily have ended up alongside Ptolemy, Seleucus and Cassander as ruler of a major successor kingdom; however he was betrayed by his erstwhile ally Antigonus Monopthalmus and executed, probably early in 314 BC.