Rare Silver Obol – Balakros of Tarsos – Cilicia Under Alexander the Great – 333–323 BC
This is an authentic silver obol minted in Tarsos, Cilicia, during the satrapy of Balakros, a Macedonian general appointed by Alexander the Great after the fall of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Struck between 333 and 323 BC, this coin is a rare and historically significant artifact from the early Hellenistic period and the height of Alexander’s eastern conquests.
Region: Cilicia, Tarsos
Authority: Balakros, Satrap of Cilicia
Date: 333–323 BC
Denomination: Silver Obol
Condition: [VF/XF – please confirm]; attractive ancient silver, well-centered strike
Appointed by Alexander the Great following his victory at the Battle of Issus in 333 BC, Balakros governed Cilicia during one of the most dynamic periods in ancient history. His coinage, struck in the name of his local authority, blends Greek mythological themes with Persian-inspired iconography, representing a transitional moment between empires.
This Tarsos obol is prized for:
Its direct link to the Alexander conquest period
The distinctive Herakles head and lion/bull combat imagery
Its representation of local governance under Macedonian rule
Its rarity and appeal to both Greek and Alexander-era collectors
A powerful miniature coin from the age of Alexander’s empire – struck by one of his satraps in Cilicia.