Macedonian Empire Gold Stater

Conquering Minds

Alexander the Great didn’t just conquer territories. He conquered minds. Furthermore, he used gold to do it.

His armies stretched from Greece to the edge of India. But his influence traveled even farther, thanks to his coins.

These weren’t just currency—they were propaganda. Indeed, they spread his image, ideals, and imperial message everywhere they circulated. They became Alexander the Great's Legacy in Gold!

The Power of a Portrait

Early Life and the Division of the Empire

Philip II of Macedonia, the father of Alexander the Great, was one of the most influential figures in ancient history. His rise to power reshaped the region, and his leadership laid the foundation for a powerful Macedonian state. This blog will explore how he came to power, his key accomplishments, the challenges Macedonia faced during his reign, what eventually happened to him, and how he is remembered today.

How Philip II Came to Power

Born in 382 BC, Philip II was the youngest son of King Amyntas III. Political chaos shaped his early life as Macedonia faced external threats and internal instability. After the death of his brother, King

In the early 4th century BC Philip II's standardized coinage system of Macedon was established throughout his kingdom. His coins quickly became one of the most coveted coins in the ancient world. One of Philip II's most notable achievements is his standardized coinage system. Additionally, he was also known as a skilled strategist and military leader. Furthermore, through a series of successful military campaigns, Philip II expanded Macedonian territory.

The Philip II Gold Stater was a symbol of wealth and power. In short, it was a testament to the artistry and precision crafted by skilled Greek minters. The coin's weight and measurements ensured its value. Meanwhile, It made it useful for everyday purchases and large-scale military expenses.

Portrait of Alexander himself

The world’s first coins were minted in ancient Lydia. Lydia's King Croesus became the first ruler to separate gold from other metals. He issued the world's first pure gold and pure silver coins. The Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire, took up the idea of coinage upon defeating King Croesus in 547 B.C. However, it wasn't until Alexander the Great of the Macedonian Empire, who conquered the Persian Empire, that the first international currency evolved. In fact, some believe that Alexander was the father of the first international currency.

Alexander ascended to the throne in 336 BC following the assassination of his father Philip II. He became king at the very young age of 20. In addition, Alexander adopted the Attic coinage standard. Unfortunately, Alexander spent his ruling years conducting lengthy military campaigns and really didn't get to enjoy his conquest much. He was always too busy conquering more lands throughout Western Asia and Egypt.

Various regions of ancient Greece utilized Staters as coinage. Importantly, in the beginning most of them were made of silver. However, it was ancient Macedonian Empire that first started using Gold Staters. The best known ancient Macedonian Empire Gold Stater was the one from King Philip II of Macedon—340 BC.

It is hard to believe that these coins were struck by hand. Moreover, how could such a beautiful coin be created over 2,400 years ago? Each coin was a hand made example of ancient art. It is no wonder that some of these coins are still considered the most beautiful coins ever made. They were minted in Pella, Macedonia, most importantly known as the birthplace of both King Philip II and his son Alexander the Great.

Philip will always be remembered in history as a brilliant military leader. His victories actually help to shape