• Additional view of object
  • Additional view of object
Dec 8, 2009
Dec 8, 2009

Tetradrachm: Head of Apollo (obverse); Lion (reverse)

Tetradrachm: Head of Apollo (obverse); Lion (reverse)

c. 334–323 BC

Part of a set. See all set records

Greek, minted at Miletos

(Ionia)

Silver

Diameter: 2.4 cm (15/16 in.)

Weight: 15.033 g (0.53 oz.)

Die axis: 1

Gift of J. H. Wade 1916.993

Location

not on view

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Did you know?

The lion and star on the reverse connect to the sun god, Apollo, on the obverse.

Description

The lion, king of the beasts and an animal associated with regal and heroic power, featured prominently on the coinage of many ancient Greek city-states. Artists placed the lion in a variety of poses, sometimes including the whole body, at other times the foreparts or just the head. Although it may once have roamed nearby, for many Greeks the lion was a monster nearly as exotic as the Chimaera, of which it formed a part, together with a goat head and snake-headed tail.

See also
Collection: 
GR - Greek
Department: 
Greek and Roman Art
Type of artwork: 
Coins
Medium: 
Silver
Credit line: 
Gift of J. H. Wade

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