A series that really piqued our interest in copper numismatics in the latter half of this year has now debuted its third issue. The series, called Future in the Past, features famous figures and their civilisations from the ancient period, and gives them a modern twist, almost part Cyberpunk, and part Steampunk. The series debuted with Julius Caesar, and was followed by the boy pharaoh, Tutankhamun. Greece is the next ancient empire to get attention, and what more iconic subject could there be than Alexander the Great?

Alexander liked to go to war, and was exceptionally talented at it. His now united group of Greek city states invaded the mighty Achaemenid Persian Empire, and despite being overwhelmingly outnumbered, brought it to its knees in just a decade. He continued on, to the ire of his troops, and eventually had to return. He died at the age of 32, in the Palace of Nebuchadnezzar II, in Babylon, possibly of poison. His legacy didn’t last, much like all rapidly won empires, and it has even been suggested that his constant calls for more troops weakened Macedon so much that it became an easy picking for the Roman Empire 150 years later.

The Alexander on the coin wears a helmet based around the Hellenistic style of the period, but the cybernetic enhancements are very futuristic, right down to the glowing eyes and breastplate. The circuit-board tracery in the background has been a common theme in this series, and returns again, including on the obverse, which this time features a similar helmet.

A neat square capsule, sits inside a themed cover, on which a certificate is printed. As we said in the earlier coverage of this range, it’s cool to see imaginative design like this available in a more affordable format. With gold and silver at record highs, that’s becoming ever more important to attract new collectors. Available to pre-order now.