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 woman's head facing right, hair tied up with tendrils framing face radiating out, wearing a single pendant earring, and decorative crown. The other side of the coin depicts a man moving right, naked except for a hat and cloak, left arm outstretched holding a small statue, in his right, a sword. Between the man's legs the Greek character: N.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
2009.8
Title
Drachm of Argos
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
370-350 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Europe, Argos (Argolis)
Period
Classical period, Late
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/331241

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3400, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Ancient Greece in Black and Orange
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Silver
Metal
AR
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
5.41g
Die Axis
5
Denomination
drachm
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Obverse Inscription: Σ
  • Reverse Inscription: APΓEIWN

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Gustave Duruflé (1), Paris, sold; [through Rollin & Feuardent, Paris, “Duruflé collection,” May 9-11, 1910]. [Rollin & Feuardent, Paris, “Billion collection,” March 22-26, 1886, lot 512]. Robert Jameson (2), Paris (by 1913). BCD Collection (by 2009). [Nomos, Zurich, “Winter-Spring FPL,” 2009, lot 60], sold; to Harvard Art Museums, 2009.
1. According to Collection R. Jameson, vol. Ib (1913), no. 1255
2. Jameson (1841-1942)

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Mary S. Watkins in memory of her brother Frederick W. Watkins, by exchange
Accession Year
2009
Object Number
2009.8
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.: Head of Hera to r. wearing a earring and stephane ornamented with palmettes on her head; behind letter Σ (?)
Rev.: Diomedes naked, but for a chlamys over his shoulders, wearing a pilos on his head, advancing to r. holding the Palladion in his left hand and a sword in his l.; around APΓEIWN with an additional N between the legs

Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 3400 Greek, Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Google Art Project
  • 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