Alexander III The Great AR Tetradrachm 275-225 BC Mesembria, Thrace Ancient Greek Silver Coin AΛEΞANΔPOY Museum Reproduction CSGT0020

Silver Greek Tetradrachm in the name and types of Alexander III of Macedon, Mesembria mint, struck 275-225 B.C. Mesembria, Nesebar Bulgaria today, was a Doric settlement on a Black Sea island just off mainland Thrace. Thrace was invaded by the Galatians in 279 B.C. Only the wealthy coastal cities, including Mesembria, withstood their attacks. Following that chaos, rule of Thrace was divided between many tribes. Philip V, 221 – 179 B.C., tried to regain control of the area for the Macedonian Kingdom, but his success was limited and short lived. Mesembria was taken by Mithradates VI in the First Mithradatic War and surrendered to Rome in 71 B.C. The city struck Alexandrine tetradrachms as early as 275 B.C., more than 50 years after Alexander’s death, and probably issued the very last Alexandrine tetradrachms struck anywhere, possibly under Roman rule as late as 65 B.C.