Artwork Page for Tetradrachm: Head of Young Herakles (obverse); Zeus (reverse)

Details / Information for Tetradrachm: Head of Young Herakles (obverse); Zeus (reverse)

Tetradrachm: Head of Young Herakles (obverse); Zeus (reverse)

336–323 BCE

Greek, Macedonian, minted at Amphipolis (Macedonia), reign of Alexander III [The Great]

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Medium
silver
Measurements
Diameter: 2.2 cm (7/8 in.)
Weight: 1.1 g (0.04 oz.)
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Jacob Hirsch 1941.294
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

Alexander the Great claimed descent from Herakles and Zeus, picturing them both on his coinage.

Description

On this coin, the head of a youthful Herakles, wearing his lion-skin, appears on the obverse, with his father Zeus, king of the gods, seated on the reverse. For Alexander III (the Great), coins like this one projected power. Thus, while their attributes (lion-skin, eagle, scepter) identify hero and god, the inscription ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (of Alexander) identifies the leader.
A silver coin consists of two circular discs featuring worn, raised details and an iridescent patina. On our left, Herakles faces right, wearing a textured lion-skin headdress. On our right, Zeus sits on a throne facing left, holding a vertical scepter and an eagle on his outstretched hand. Vertical Greek text appears behind him. Beaded borders frame both images on the thick, irregular silver surfaces.

Tetradrachm: Head of Young Herakles (obverse); Zeus (reverse)

336–323 BCE

Greek, Macedonian, minted at Amphipolis (Macedonia), reign of Alexander III [The Great]

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