Collection record · Small worlds
Tetradrachm: Head of Alexander III [The Great] (obverse); Athena (reverse)
The collection record classifies this work as coins. It is dated 306 BCE. Recorded culture or place: Egypt, Greco-Roman period (332 BCE–395 CE), reign of Ptolemy I (303–282 BCE), minted at Alexandria.
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A closer look at the details.
- Museum title
- Tetradrachm: Head of Alexander III [The Great] (obverse); Athena (reverse)
- Date
- 306 BCE
- Culture / origin
- Egypt, Greco-Roman period (332 BCE–395 CE), reign of Ptolemy I (303–282 BCE), minted at Alexandria
- Materials and technique
- silver
- Dimensions
- Overall: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.)
- Artist / maker
- Not specified by the museum
- Museum
- The Cleveland Museum of Art
- Accession number
- 1916.994
FROM THE MUSEUM
In the museum’s words
The following description is reproduced from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s original English record.
Much like his former commander Alexander III (the Great) showed connections to Herakles and Zeus, Ptolemy I Soter (the Savior) used coins to validate his succession to power. Thus, in place of Herakles with lion-skin, this coin shows Alexander in an elephant headdress, referring to their shared Eastern triumphs. On the reverse is Athena Promachos, striding forward with shield and spear. Before her are a helmet and an eagle, and behind her the inscription ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, “of Alexander.”
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Text and image sources
The Cleveland Museum of Art · Gift of J. H. Wade · CC0
The summary is based on public collection data. Refer to the museum’s latest record for the title, date and attribution.
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