Alexandria ad Issum, Cilicia
2nd-1st Century BCE
Ae 21mm, 6.5gms
Ox: Head of Alexander as youthful Herakles right, wearing lionskin
Rx: ALEXANDREWN; Zeus standing left, holding wreath in raised right hand. monogram in left field
BMC 3

Alexandria ad Issum became the modern day city of İskenderun, Turkey, which I remember as a kid from watching Indiana Jones.

As the name suggests, the city was founded by Alexander the Great and replaces Myriandos as guardian to the Syrian Gates, where he was victorious at the Battle of Issos. A statue was erected in the city to this victory and still stood there in 200 CE.

The city of İskenderun was recently (2023) in the news for heavy damage from a severe earthquake. Coins from the city are rare.

333 BCE

Alexandria ad Issum founded by Alexander III.