Macedonian regal bronze coins attributed to Alexander III and Philip III in İzmir Archaeology Museum

By the middle of the 5th century B.C., bronze coinage was being minted in different locations of the Hellenic world. Basically, bronze coins were used to make small payments which was not practical to carry out using silver coins. Bronzes were soon began to be minted in various cities of mainland Greece and Asia Minor as well. Also Macedonian Kingdom began to mint bronze coinage during the reign of Archelaus I (413-399 B.C.). Minting of bronze coins continued uninterrupted during the periods of successors as well. Likewise, during the reigns of Alexander III (336-323 B.C.) and Philip III Arrhideos (323-316 B.C.) numerous mints struck bronze coins. Alexander III demolished the Persian Empire at the end of his campaign which lasted almost 13 years and he took a very far and wide territory under the control of Macedonian Kingdom by pushing the limits of the known world. During this period, Alexander III captured the Persian treasures and in this regard he established a financial policy. The King, who also carried out a coinage reform within this context, made a vast amount of gold, silver and bronze coinage struck in his name which continued to be minted for a long time even after his death. During the reing of new king Philip III, royal coins bearing his name were struck as well right along with aforementioned coins. There are at least 206 royal bronze coins dated to the periods of Alexander III and Philip III in the Collection of Izmir Archaeology Museum. It is hoped that this study in which those aforesaid coins were catalogued and evaluated will contribute to the future numismatics studies about Macedonian royal coinage, particularly the periods of Alexander III and Philip III. Keywords: Bronze coinage, Izmir Archaeology Museum, Macedonian Kingdom, Alexander III, Philip III