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Both sides of an irregularly shaped silver-gray coin with relief decoration on each side.　

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. The other side of the coin depicts a woman seated on a throne facing left, wearing a crested helmet and long flowing clothing, extending right hand holding a decorative shield, left arm cradling long staff and resting on throne back; to the right, the Greek characters: F I L E T A I R O Y.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1972.161
People
Philetairos, Greek (r. 274-263 BCE)
Title
Tetradrachm of Philetairos of Pergamon
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
269 BCE-263 BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Pergamon (Mysia)
Period
Hellenistic period, Early
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/196412

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
16.39 g
Die Axis
12
Denomination
tetradrachm
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Reverse Inscription: FILETAIROY

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
Newell 10

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Frederick M. Watkins
Accession Year
1972
Object Number
1972.161
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obv.: Head of Seleukos I Nikator
Rev.: Athena enthroned, facing l.; head of Athena facing l.

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

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