The gigantic figure driving the elephant cart on the reverse has been variously identified as Zeus (since he holds a thunderbolt) or the deified Alexander the Great. The face of the figure is seldom struck up well enough to show much detail, however this example is sharp enough to show the driver is a beardless young male, hence probably Alexander, now deified and of superhuman size as he towers over the elephants pulling the chariot. Alexander's body was hijacked from a funeral cortege headed back to Macedon, by Ptolemy I, who interred the conqueror's corpse in Memphis. Later Ptolemaic rulers moved his body to Alexandria and replaced his golden sarcophagus with a crystal one housed within an elaborate tomb.

Ex. Freeman and Sear FPL 12 lot 96 (2007); Ex. Dr Joseph M Seventko, Heritage Auctions July 30, 2002 lot 11159; Ex CNG Mail Bid Sale 27 lot 801, September 29, 1993; Ex Leu 30 (28 IV 82), lot 218, ex Hess-Leu 1963, lot 126 and ex Ars Classica 4 (1922), lot 978