Economic history: silver alloy
Macedonia, king Philip II (359-36 BC), stater, SNG Leake and General coll.2035
Persian Empire, siglos, 4th c. BC, FM Leake coll.780
The rise of the Macedonian kingdom was made possible partly by the exploitation of Thracian and Macedonian silver mines, but Alexander’s huge coinage was also based on booty and melting down the Persian sigloi,the Persian empire’s main currency:
© Fitzwilliam Museum