Alexander the Great Mule – Two Ancient Traditions in Silver

A helmeted goddess on one side and a royal emblem of abundance on the other: this Ancient Tribute pairs designs from different ancient coinages in a deliberately mismatched “mule.” Struck in 2 troy ounces of .999 fine silver, the 36mm medal combines bold relief with a hand-worked shape. Its limited mintage is 49 pieces.

From Alexander’s Coinage to Ptolemaic Egypt

The obverse draws on gold coinage issued in the name of Alexander the Great. The helmeted figure on this familiar ancient type is Athena, rather than a portrait of Alexander himself. Her crested helmet gives the design its commanding silhouette; museum examples of Alexander’s gold staters identify her as the goddess represented on the obverse.

The reverse takes its inspiration from the coinage of Arsinoe II in Ptolemaic Egypt. Its double cornucopia, with hanging grape bunches and a binding fillet, is an emblem of plenty associated with the queen. Ptolemy II began issuing gold and silver coins in her name around the time of her death, and the double cornucopia became a consistent feature of her coin imagery.

A Deliberate Mule, Individually Made

These two designs were not the matching faces of a single ancient issue. Their combination is the point of this modern tribute: a collector can enjoy two distinct visual traditions on one substantial silver medal. The Greek reverse inscription surrounds the paired horns, balancing the strong profile on the opposite face.

Each piece has hand-hammered edges and is heated, centered by eye and hot struck under high-relief dies without a retaining collar. This process gives the medal an irregular outline and individual character. It is a modern handcrafted collectible inspired by ancient coinage, not an ancient artifact.

Note to collectors: Being hand fabricated and hot struck, these medals will exhibit some small irregularities that are not considered to be detracting. The shape, diameter, and device centering will vary on each item.  Great care is taken to ensure there are no glaring inclusions that might diminish eye-appeal while still remaining true to the nature of the fabrication techniques employed.  

Specifications

• Weight: 2 troy ounces
• Purity: .999 fine silver
• Diameter: approximately 36mm
• Thickness: approximately 5.5mm
• Edge: Rough
• Finish: Antiqued
• Limited mintage: 49

Explore more designs in our silver round collection.