Rare Greek Bronze Alexander III the Great Ancient Coin Amulet with 60cm chain (No reserve price)

03
days
22
hours
38
minutes
19
seconds
Current bid
€ 34
No reserve price
Ruth Garrido Vila
Expert
Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila

Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.

Estimate  € 200 - € 250
DE
€34
IT
€31
DE
€28

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Bronze Alexander III the Great ancient coin transformed into a wearable amulet on a 60 cm modern chain, dating to circa 182–149 BC and authenticated as original/official in good condition.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

A powerful and highly evocative ancient Greek bronze coin associated with Alexander III the Great, transformed into a distinctive wearable historical amulet.

The obverse presents the striking head of Herakles (Hercules) wearing the skin of the Nemean Lion. This celebrated image became inseparably associated with the coinage of Alexander the Great (336–323 BC). Herakles embodied strength, courage, endurance and heroic victory—qualities closely connected with Alexander's own royal image.

The lion skin can still be distinguished around the head and neck, giving the portrait its unmistakably heroic character. Alexander's use of Herakles was particularly meaningful, as the Macedonian royal dynasty traditionally claimed descent from the legendary hero.

The reverse preserves an ancient standing figure and associated symbols, softened by centuries of circulation, burial and natural surface alteration. These traces of antiquity give the piece considerable archaeological character rather than the appearance of a modern reproduction.

The coin possesses a deep, dark bronze patina with areas of green and warm earthy coloration. The irregular ancient surface and surviving high points of the design create a dramatic appearance when worn against the polished modern suspension.

Symbolism

As a wearable amulet, the imagery of Herakles makes this an especially powerful piece:

Herakles — Strength • Courage • Endurance • Victory
Alexander — Leadership • Conquest • Ambition • Legacy

The ancient coin has been fitted with a modern suspension ring and is presented on a modern chain, allowing it to be worn while retaining the unmistakable character of an object from the ancient Mediterranean world.

Ruler/Attribution: Alexander III “the Great”
Kingdom: Macedon
Period: Hellenistic / Ancient Greek
Reign of Alexander III: 336–323 BC
Material: Bronze
Obverse: Head of Herakles wearing the Nemean lion skin
Reverse: Standing figure with surviving ancient symbols/details
Condition: Strong ancient character with dark patina, deposits, surface wear and irregularities consistent with age; please study the photographs carefully.
Jewellery conversion: Modern suspension ring and chain; these elements are not ancient.

A compelling meeting of ancient Greek mythology and Macedonian royal history, transformed into a dramatic wearable amulet more than two millennia after the age of Alexander.

A powerful and highly evocative ancient Greek bronze coin associated with Alexander III the Great, transformed into a distinctive wearable historical amulet.

The obverse presents the striking head of Herakles (Hercules) wearing the skin of the Nemean Lion. This celebrated image became inseparably associated with the coinage of Alexander the Great (336–323 BC). Herakles embodied strength, courage, endurance and heroic victory—qualities closely connected with Alexander's own royal image.

The lion skin can still be distinguished around the head and neck, giving the portrait its unmistakably heroic character. Alexander's use of Herakles was particularly meaningful, as the Macedonian royal dynasty traditionally claimed descent from the legendary hero.

The reverse preserves an ancient standing figure and associated symbols, softened by centuries of circulation, burial and natural surface alteration. These traces of antiquity give the piece considerable archaeological character rather than the appearance of a modern reproduction.

The coin possesses a deep, dark bronze patina with areas of green and warm earthy coloration. The irregular ancient surface and surviving high points of the design create a dramatic appearance when worn against the polished modern suspension.

Symbolism

As a wearable amulet, the imagery of Herakles makes this an especially powerful piece:

Herakles — Strength • Courage • Endurance • Victory
Alexander — Leadership • Conquest • Ambition • Legacy

The ancient coin has been fitted with a modern suspension ring and is presented on a modern chain, allowing it to be worn while retaining the unmistakable character of an object from the ancient Mediterranean world.

Ruler/Attribution: Alexander III “the Great”
Kingdom: Macedon
Period: Hellenistic / Ancient Greek
Reign of Alexander III: 336–323 BC
Material: Bronze
Obverse: Head of Herakles wearing the Nemean lion skin
Reverse: Standing figure with surviving ancient symbols/details
Condition: Strong ancient character with dark patina, deposits, surface wear and irregularities consistent with age; please study the photographs carefully.
Jewellery conversion: Modern suspension ring and chain; these elements are not ancient.

A compelling meeting of ancient Greek mythology and Macedonian royal history, transformed into a dramatic wearable amulet more than two millennia after the age of Alexander.

Details

Culture
Rare Greek
Century/timeframe
circa 182-149 BC,
Name of object
Alexander III the Great Ancient Coin Amulet with 60cm chain
Acquired from
Auction house
Year acquired
2025
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Netherlands
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Previous owner - year acquired
2025
Previous owner - country acquired from
Netherlands
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
The NetherlandsVerified
477
Objects sold
94.67%
pro

Disclaimer

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.

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