Both sides of an irregularly shaped gold 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 woman's head facing right, long tendrils of curly hair held in place with an ornate triple crested helmet, with crests flowing down the woman's neck. The other side of the coin depicts a woman with wings standing, turned three-quarters to the left, holding a ship's mast cross arm in right hand, a wreath in her left. Below, a vertical thunderbolt. Greek characters surround the right border.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1.1965.1134
People
Alexander III, the Great, Greek (r. 336-323 BCE Babylon)
Title
Distater of Alexander the Great, uncertain Macedonian mint
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
333 BCE-323 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Macedonia, Uncertain Mint (Macedonia)
Period
Classical period, Late
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/188321

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
Gold
Metal
AV
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
17.16 g
Die Axis
9
Denomination
distater

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
Price 191,Troxell Studies 112 Group A

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
1.1965.1134
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obverse: Head of Athena r. wearing triple-crested Corinthian helmet; on bowl, coiled serpent
Reverse: Nike standing three-quarter l. holding wreath and stylis; to l., thunderbolt; below l. wing, symbol (Greek lambda with small dot or omicron inside).

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