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 man facing right, tendrils of long curly hair held in place with a headband, a ram's horn worn around his ear, small dots surround the border. The other side of the coin depicts a woman seated on a throne facing left, right arm outstretched holding a small winged woman holding a crown, left hand holding a spear with arm resting on a shield; surrounding the right and left borders, the Greek characters: Β Α Σ Ι Λ Ε Ω Σ / Λ Υ Σ Ι Μ Α Χ Ο Υ.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1972.186
People
Lysimachos, Greek (r. 323-281 BCE)
Title
Tetradrachm of Lysimachos, Lampsakos
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
297 - 281 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Lampsakos (Mysia)
Period
Hellenistic period, Early
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/196048

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
16.93 g
Die Axis
12
Denomination
tetradrachm
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Reverse Inscription: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
Thompson 43

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Frederick M. Watkins
Accession Year
1972
Object Number
1972.186
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obverse: Head of Alexander the Great w/ the horn of Ammon; Reverse: Athena enthroned, facing l.; Victory crowning the king's name; torch

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
  • Gods in Color: Painted Sculpture of Classical Antiquity, Harvard University Art Museums, Cambridge, 09/22/2007 - 01/20/2008
  • Re-View: S422 Ancient & Byzantine Art & Numismatics, Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Cambridge, 04/12/2008 - 06/18/2011
  • 32Q: 3440 Middle East, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Coins

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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