The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 18, 2025

Stater: Head of Athena (obverse); Nike (reverse)

c. 325–275 BCE

Greek, Macedonian, minted at Salamis

(Cyprus)
gold
Diameter: 1.9 cm (3/4 in.)
Gift of J. H. Wade 1916.979
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Athena appears off-center on this coin’s obverse due to an error in the minting process.

Description

As the forces of Alexander III [the Great] advanced into Asia, the city-state of Salamis, on the island of Cyprus, voluntarily surrendered itself and its mint. Salamis began producing Macedonian-style coinage, adopting a helmeted Athena on the obverse and a winged Nike offering a laurel wreath on the reverse. The rudder in the left field is the distinguishing symbol of Salamis, a nod to the city’s longstanding maritime prominence.
  • Mirrors: Art and Symbol. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (July 3-November 18, 1984).
  • {{cite web|title=Stater: Head of Athena (obverse); Nike (reverse)|url=false|author=|year=c. 325–275 BCE|access-date=18 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1916.979