Coinage as Propaganda: Alexander and His Successors

Numismatic evidence is an incredibly useful primary source for the study of history and can convey a great deal of valuable information. Although coinage served a practical function as currency, nonetheless, design choices for individual coins can be very revealing about the time in which they were issued and can provide insight into the politics and policies of the issuing authority. This is especially true in the case of Alexander the Great and his Successors, also known as the Diadochoi, as their coinage is very reflective of their ambitions and the dynamic political situation in which they operated. Both Alexander and the Successors made extensive and sophisticated use of coinage for propaganda purposes, and the images chosen by these men for their coin types were intended to highlight aspects of their leadership that they wished to advertise. This chapter discusses both Alexander’s numismatic policies, and how these developed and influenced those of his Successors.