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 the head of a woman, wearing a necklace, small pendant earring, and a headband with a barely legible inscription in Greek characters: K I M O N. Her long curly hair radiates outward with four dolphins swimming within her locks, along with the Greek characters: A P E T H O S A. The other side of the coin depicts a man in a four-horse drawn vehicle facing left, holding the reins. Above, a winged woman prepares to crown the man with a laurel wreath. Below, an ear of barley lying on its side.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1972.216
People
Designed by Kimon, Greek (415 - 400 BCE)
Title
Tetradrachm of Syracuse with facing Arethusa by Kimon
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
406 BCE-405 B.C.
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Syracuse (Sicily)
Period
Classical period, High
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/195290

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3200, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Classical Sculpture
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Silver
Metal
AR
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
17.26 g
Die Axis
11
Denomination
tetradrachm
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Obverse Inscription: KIMON; above (off flan) APETOSA

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
Tudeer 80 (O29 R53)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Frederick M. Watkins
Accession Year
1972
Object Number
1972.216
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obverse: Head of Arethusa in three quarter view to left surrounded by dolphins
Reverse: quadriga of horses galloping to l., driver crowned by small Nike; in exergue ear of wheat.

Publication History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, exh. cat., Fogg Art Museum (Cambridge, MA, 1973)

Exhibition History

  • The Frederick M. Watkins Collection, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, 01/31/1973 - 03/14/1973
  • 32Q: 3200 West Arcade, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Coins

Related Digital Tours

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