Alexandrine Empire Greek Babylonia 328-311 BC Lion Stater NGC CH F Alexander / Mazaios RARE Ancient Silver Coin

Babylonia, c.328-311 BC
AR Stater
obv Ba'al std.
rv lion stg.; pentagram

Strong strike, good surface silver quality, great balanced details on both the obverse. Remnants of hoard spotting and toning.

The RARE pentagram control mark is a difficult to find marking, often associated with earlier issues, closer to the Mazaios/Alexander transition period, and is more desirable by collectors.

Historical Significance – Early Babylon Issue in the Age of Alexander

Struck in Babylonia between 328–311 BC, this silver stater represents the earlier and more desirable phase of Babylonian lion coinage—produced during the immediate aftermath of the conquest of the Near East by Alexander the Great. Unlike the later and more commonly encountered Seleucid issues from 312-281 BC, this type belongs to the original transitional series, struck closer to the time of Alexander himself and reflecting a more authentic continuation of local Babylonian tradition.

After capturing Babylon in 331 BC, Alexander preserved the city as a major administrative and economic center, maintaining its long-established mint. A central figure in this transition was Mazaios, the former Persian governor who surrendered the city peacefully and was reappointed under Macedonian rule. Under his authority, coin production continued with remarkable continuity, now serving a new empire while retaining its distinctive regional identity.

The design of this coin highlights that unique cultural fusion: the obverse depicts Baal, a major local deity, seated in a traditional Near Eastern style, while the reverse features a powerful striding lion—an enduring symbol of royal strength in Mesopotamian art. These elements distinguish the early Babylon issues from the later Seleucid coinage, which gradually adopted more standardized Hellenistic designs.

Following Alexander’s death in 323 BC, his empire fragmented among his generals, eventually leading to the rise of Seleucus I Nicator. While Seleucid-era lion staters continued to be struck, they are generally more available on the market and represent a later phase of production. In contrast, earlier issues such as this are scarcer and more closely tied to the initial moment of imperial transition, making them especially appealing to collectors.

Highly sought after today, these Babylonian lion staters combine bold design, historical depth, and true scarcity. Each example is not just a piece of silver, but a tangible artifact from the moment when Persian, Babylonian, and Greek worlds converged under a new and unprecedented empire.