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 an elephant skin headdress tied around neck, and ram's horn around ear. The other side of the coin depicts a woman standing facing right, dressed in flowing clothing, right arm raised holding a spear, left hand holding a shield. Below right, an eagle clutching a thunderbolt. To the left, the Greek characters: A L E X A N D R O U, and a W in a circle.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1.1965.2736
People
Ptolemy I Soter, Greek (r. 323-283 BCE)
Title
Tetradrachm of Ptolemy I, uncertain mint (Naukratis?)
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
306 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Africa, Egypt (Ancient)
Period
Ptolemaic period
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/170111

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Silver
Metal
AR
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
15.62 g
Die Axis
12
Denomination
tetradrachm
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Reverse Inscription: ALEXANDROU; W in circle monogram in l. field; Delta Iota in r. field

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
Coins of the Ptolemaic Empire I.1, 79; Svoronos 142; SNG Cop 22

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
1.1965.2736
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.: Head of Alexander in lion skin and aegis r., with horns of Zeus Ammon; dotted border.
Rev.: Athena Alkidemos, r., holding spear and shield; to r., eagle clutching thunderbolt r.; border of dots; to l., W in circle; to r., Delta Iota

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