The World's Most Famous Horse - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 1,034
Finn235 Pillar of the Community United States 6130 Posts	Posted 01/04/2017 5:15 pm I have been trying to stay focused, but sometimes a coin just must be bought! Macedonian Empire Alexander III The Great 336-323 BC (Believed to be a lifetime issue) AE17 (Chalkous?) Probably Macedon mint? Head of Apollo right Bucephalus prancing right, ALEXANDROU above, A below Wildwinds notes similar to Price 338 While the identity of the horse is not firmly established, one must admit that the most probable and logical attribution would be none other than the young king's "bull-headed" war steed. According to the probably legendary story, Alexander's father Philip was offered a wild and untamable stallion with a bull's head brand for a remarkably high price of 13 talents. Philip declined, but Alexander wagered the price against his father that he could tame the horse. He did so easily by removing his cloak and turning the horse to the sun so he could no longer see his shadow; a metaphor to foreshadow the great things that lay ahead for Alexander. The horse himself was very much real, being the king's personal mount in every battle of his unprecedented campaign. Bucephalus died of battle wounds in June 326 BC, near Hydaspes in India. Alexander's armies were victorious, and he founded Alexandria Bucephalous in honor of his beloved horse. The city survived much of antiquity and today is the site of Jalalpur Sharif, Pakistan. I had planned for my next Alexander III to be a lifetime Tet that I would save up for, but sometimes things happen! Not complaining for less than $25! Report this Post to the Staff

echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 01/04/2017 5:27 pm The detail on this small coin is excellent. I saw a similar one for sale on ebay last week and was going to bit on it but din't get one in on time. Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34427 Posts	Posted 01/04/2017 8:17 pm Great pick-up! I agree that the rev detail is exceptional. Interesting that the horse's name (Bucephalus) translates into bull-head. "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
sel_69l Bedrock of the Community Australia 21788 Posts	Posted 01/04/2017 8:36 pm For $25, I wouldn't be complaining, either! Report this Post to the Staff
moxking Rest in Peace United States 17900 Posts	Posted 01/04/2017 8:58 pm That is such a nice coin. Love the dual color. Report this Post to the Staff
DavidUK Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 2624 Posts	Posted 01/05/2017 08:00 am Great coin and great story ^^ Congrats. Report this Post to the Staff
Finn235 Pillar of the Community United States 6130 Posts	Posted 01/05/2017 11:22 am Thanks all! @Spence, the name Bucephalus was supposed to come from his brand, which was in the shape of a bull's head. He was also said to have an unusually large head and intense eyes for his breed. At any rate, this will look very nice next to my Philip II: Most of Philip's bronzes depict his champion race horse that won the gold medal in the 356 BC Olympic games. It was said that he received the news of the victory on the same day that his son Alexander was born. Some say that the coin depicts Alexander as a young boy, learning to ride on the champion horse; others maintain that it is simply the young rider who won the medal for Philip. I am not sure if history has preserve the identity of Philip's horse; if not, the Alexander III coin may be the first from-life representation of an animal on a coin whose name is known. Report this Post to the Staff
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