Both sides of an irregularly shaped silver-gray coin with relief decoration on each side.
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

On the side of the coin on the left is a man's head facing right, wearing a lion's skin headdress on top of head, tied around neck. The other side of the coin depicts a man seated on a throne facing left, right arm outstretched holding an eagle, left arm raised holding a staff. Below the eagle, a trident. Under the throne, a Greek character.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1.1965.1176
People
Alexander III, the Great, Greek (r. 336-323 BCE Babylon)
Title
Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, Babylon
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
325 BCE-323 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Babylon (Mesopotamia)
Period
Classical period, Late
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/191259

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3440, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Ancient Middle Eastern Art in the Service of Kings
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Silver
Metal
AR
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
17.24 g
Die Axis
2
Denomination
tetradrachm
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Reverse Inscription: M

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Robinson collection, Naville 6, 28 January 1924, 733

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
Price 3635

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Loan from the Trustees of the Arthur Stone Dewing Greek Numismatic Foundation
Object Number
1.1965.1176
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obverse: Head of young Herakles r. wearing lion skin.
Reverse: Zeus seated l. on throne holding eagle and scepter, to l., trident, M [Greek mu]; below throne, monogram [inverted M with phi in center].

Exhibition History

  • Gods in Color: Painted Sculpture of Classical Antiquity, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/22/2007 - 01/20/2008
  • 32Q: 3440 Middle East, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu