You know that feeling when you hold a coin that Alexander the Great might’ve actually touched? I remember buying my first tetradrachm back in 2012 thinking it was just cool history. Then I saw the auction prices jump like crazy five years later – that’s when I realized these weren’t just museum pieces. People hunt for Alexander the Great coins like hidden treasure, but man, the market’s full of fakes and shady sellers. I learned that the hard way when I overpaid for a "bargain" drachma that turned out to be a replica. Total rookie mistake.

So let’s cut through the noise. Whether you’re a history nerd, an investor, or just inherited grandpa’s coin collection, you’ll find straight talk here. No fluff, no sales pitch – just what I’ve learned from 12 years in the ancient coin game.

Why Alexander’s Coins Still Matter Today

Picture this: before Alexander III of Macedon came along, Greek coins looked like amateur hour. Then boom – he launches these standardized silver tetradrachms showing Herakles (with Alexander’s face, obviously) on one side and Zeus chillin’ on his throne on the other. Genius branding move. Suddenly, from Egypt to India, everyone recognized his coins. That’s why you still find them in flea markets in Turkey or buried in Bulgarian fields.

Funny thing – Alexander never put his name on coins during his lifetime. The egomaniac waited until he died for successors to slap "BASILEOS ALEXANDROU" (Of King Alexander) on them. Shows how powerful his image was even after death.

What Made These Coins Revolutionary

• Consistent weight: Tetradrachms weighed about 17.2 grams – ancient quality control at its finest
• High silver content: Unlike sketchy neighbors’ coins, Alexander’s had reliable purity
• Military funding magic: His mints pumped out coins along campaign routes like a portable ATM

I’ve held coins struck in Babylon just weeks before Alexander died – gives you chills knowing the hands they passed through.

Spotting Real vs Fake Alexander Coins

Got burned bad my first year collecting. Paid €850 for a "perfectly preserved" drachma that turned out to be a Bulgarian counterfeit. Now I bring a 10x loupe everywhere. Here’s how to avoid my mistakes:

The worst fakes come out of Eastern Europe – saw a batch in Sofia that even had fake patina. Pro tip: rub gently with acetone. Real ancient patina won’t budge.

Grading Your Alexander Coin Like a Pro

Dealers throw around terms like "VF" and "EF" – here’s what that actually means for your wallet:

• Poor (PO): Barely recognizable. Maybe €50-100 if authenticated. Not worth it honestly.
• Fair (FR): Worn but identifiable. €150-400 tops.
• Very Fine (VF): Clear features, minor wear. €600-€2,500 depending on rarity.
• Extremely Fine (EF): Sharp details, original luster. €3,000-€15,000+

I’d rather have a scratched authentic coin than a perfect fake. Always.

Current Market Prices (What You’ll Actually Pay)

Just saw a Babylonian tetradrachm hammer for €22k at Nomos – crazy since similar coins went for €8k pre-pandemic. Here’s the real 2024 breakdown:

Watch out for "bargains" on eBay – 90% of Alexander coins under €500 are either fakes or misidentified. True story: a buddy bought a "rare drachma" for €300 that was actually a Byzantine coin. Facepalm moment.

Where I Actually Shop for Alexander Coins

After losing money early on, I stick to these spots:

• VCoins.com: Vetted dealers only – my safest bet for beginners
• Nomos Auctions: Swiss-based with brutal authentication
• Local Coin Shows: Handle coins in person – no surprises

Never buy without a certificate from NGC or PCGS. Worth every euro for peace of mind.

Cleaning and Preservation Don’ts

Saw a collector ruin a €5k tetradrachm with vinegar – brutal. Rule #1: don’t scrub!

What actually works:

• Distilled water soak: 24 hours max for dirt removal
• Wooden picks: Gentle crust removal under microscope
• Microcrystalline wax: For long-term storage (applied thinly)

Store in archival flips away from PVC materials – that green gunk on coins? That’s PVC damage. Learned that after ruining my first decent Alexander coin.

Alexander Coin FAQ (Real Questions Collectors Ask)

Investment Potential: Hype vs Reality

Let’s get real – most coins won’t make you rich. But quality lifetime issues? Their value grew 120% from 2010-2020 according to the Ancient Coin Index. Not bad compared to stocks.

Three factors that actually boost value:

• Provenance: Coins from old collections (like the famous Jameson hoard) sell for 30-50% more
• Historical events: Coins struck during sieges or battles – I tracked one from Tyre that doubled in value
• Unusual features: Double strikes, test cuts (ancient verification marks), or exceptional centering

But here’s the ugly truth: 70% of "investment grade" coins I see are overgraded. Unless you’ve got €10k+ for a premium piece, focus on collecting history, not profits.

Essential Books for Serious Collectors

Skip the glossy coffee table books. These are my desk references:

• “Alexander the Great: His Coins” by Martin Price (ISBN 978-0876912251) – The bible for attribution
• “The Hellenistic World: Coins” by Ian Carradice – Context for posthumous issues
• “Ancient Coin Forgery” by Wayne Sayles – Saved me thousands

Most are out of print – hunt on Abebooks.com. Paid €150 for my Price volume but it’s paid for itself ten times over.

Handling Authentication Like You Mean It

Got a coin? Do this before spending a cent:

1. Check weight/diameter against standard references
2. Magnify edges for casting seams (deal-breaker)
3. Request UV light photos – resin fakes glow blue
4. Insist on third-party grading (NGC Ancients or PCGS)

Reputable dealers offer lifetime returns if authentication fails. Walk away if they refuse.

Final thought? Collect what speaks to you. My most valuable coin isn’t the rarest – it’s a worn drachma my daughter bought me with her allowance. That’s the real magic of holding Alexander’s legacy.