Artwork Page for Hecte: Head of Omphale (obverse); Incuse Square (reverse)

Details / Information for Hecte: Head of Omphale (obverse); Incuse Square (reverse)

Hecte: Head of Omphale (obverse); Incuse Square (reverse)

387–326 BCE

Greek, minted at Phokaia

(Ionia)
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Medium
electrum (gold-silver alloy)
Measurements
Diameter: 0.9 cm (3/8 in.)
Weight: 2.592 g (0.09 oz.)
Credit Line
Gift of J. H. Wade 1916.973
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The Lydian queen Omphale wears the lion skin of Herakles, whom she enslaved.

Description

This very small electrum coin shows the Lydian queen Omphale on the obverse. She can be distinguished from Herakles, whose lion-skin she wears, by her earring. Also visible, over her shoulder, is the hero’s club, while beneath her swims a small seal—phôkê in Greek, a punning reference to Phokaia, where the coin was made. The reverse features a much simpler design, a quartered incuse square.
Two sides of a pale golden electrum coin feature images in relief and incuse. On the left, is Omphale in profile from the neck up facing left, wearing a lion skin with paws knotted under her chin. On the right, a deep, recessed four-part square has a granular interior. The coin has an irregular circular shape and a worn, metallic texture.

Hecte: Head of Omphale (obverse); Incuse Square (reverse)

387–326 BCE

Greek, minted at Phokaia (Ionia)

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