Artwork Page for Tetradrachm: Head of Alexander III [The Great] (obverse); Athena (reverse)

Details / Information for Tetradrachm: Head of Alexander III [The Great] (obverse); Athena (reverse)

Tetradrachm: Head of Alexander III [The Great] (obverse); Athena (reverse)

306 BCE

Egypt, Greco-Roman period (332 BCE–395 CE), reign of Ptolemy I (303–282 BCE), minted at Alexandria

View all records in artwork set
Medium
silver
Measurements
Overall: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.)
Weight: 15.422 g (0.54 oz.)
Credit Line
Gift of J. H. Wade 1916.994
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

The image of Alexander the Great in an elephant headdress references his Eastern conquests.

Description

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.”

Tetradrachm: Head of Alexander III [The Great] (obverse); Athena (reverse)

306 BCE

Egypt, Greco-Roman period (332 BCE–395 CE), reign of Ptolemy I (303–282 BCE), minted at Alexandria

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

    Contact Us

    The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

    To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

    All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.