• Additional view of object
  • Additional view of object
Nov 12, 2009
Nov 12, 2009

Tetradrachm: Head of Alexander (obverse); Athena (reverse)

Tetradrachm: Head of Alexander (obverse); Athena (reverse)

297–281 BCE

Part of a set. See all set records

Greek, Macedonian, minted at Lysimachia (Thrake), reign of Lysimachos

Silver

Diameter: 3 cm (1 3/16 in.)

Weight: 16.98 g (0.60 oz)

Die axis: 12

Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust 1917.984

Location

not on view

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Did you know?

Although Alexander the Great appears on this coin, the inscription on the reverse identifies its issuer as Lysimachos.

Description

A contemporary of Alexander the Great and one of his generals, Lysimachos used coins like this one to emphasize his connections to the fallen leader. The images of the goddesses Athena and Nike, or Victory, on the reverse, together with an inscription naming King Lysimachos, further legitimize his reign, first in Thrace and then in parts of Macedonia and Asia Minor.

See also
Collection: 
GR - Greek
Department: 
Greek and Roman Art
Type of artwork: 
Coins
Medium: 
Silver
Credit line: 
Gift of the John Huntington Art and Polytechnic Trust

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