King Orsoaltius – Hand-Struck Silver Tetradrachm Replica

Orsoaltios is known only from his silver teradrachms imitating the macedonian issues of Alexander the Great. He probably reigned in South-East Thrace. [Peter, 1997, p. 249]

The obverse depicts Herakles (or Hercules to the Romans), the greatest hero of the Greeks. Herakles was Zeus’ son and was able to attain divine status as a demi-god by accomplishing the 12 Labors assigned to him. This coin represents the first of those labors, the slaying of the fierce Nemean Lion. Herakles is shown proudly wearing the lion’s skin, its open mouth covering most of his head and its paws tied together at his neck. Alexander the Great idolized Herakles, wanting to become a god himself, and his prominent use of the hero on his coins formalized this association, evangelizing it internationally. The reverse shows Zeus wearing a crown, likely a laurel wreath, atop his long hair. Zeus’ body changes depending on the coin, but this example shows him as very muscular, wearing a linen cloak (a himation) covering his lower body. He is seated on a decorated throne, holding a scepter which symbolizes the god’s strength and authority, and consequently, that of Alexander as well. This coin also shows him holding his symbolic bird, an eagle, in his outstretched right hand.

DESIGN:
Obverse side
Head of beardless Herakles wearing lion’s skin right
Legend:
Anepigraphic

Reverse side
Zeus enthroned left; holding eagle on outstretched right hand; left hand resting on sceptre; amphora with high handles below throne; shield with thunderbolt in left field
Legend:
OPΣOAΛTOY in right field, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ in ex

Compare designs and mint varieties in our Alexander the Great tetradrachm replica collection.