Tetradrachm of Lysimachos of Thrace, Alexander as Zeus-Ammon, Athena

Artist Unidentified artist

CultureGreek, Thracian

Date306 - 281 BCE

Mediumsilver

Dimensions1 3/16 in., 0.00243 lb. (3 cm, 0.0011 kg)

Classificationscoins & medals

Credit LineThe William A. Whitaker Foundation Art Fund

Object number70.18.2

DescriptionObverse:
Head of Alexander in profile to right, wearing diadem and horns of Ammon. Short locks of hair curl loosely over head and neck. His large, upward-looking eyes are set under a prominent brow, his lips are slightly parted, his face shaven. The ends of a ribbon curve out behind his head.

Reverse:
Athena in early Hellenistic style, wearing a crested Corinthian helmet, sits to left on backless throne supported by an animal’s bent leg. Athena wears a belted peplos, an aegis with gorgon, and a mantle about her hips; she leans back and extends her left leg forward. Resting her left elbow on a shield with central lion’s head boss, she extends her right arm forward to support a winged Nike that places a laurel wreath on the vertical word “ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ” (of Lysimachos); parts of the Λ and the wreath are missing, as the die was struck off-center. In the field at right reads “ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ” (king). A spear rests diagonally behind Athena. Under two ground lines are three marks (a flower, a double axe, and a mark with “Ρ” and “Υ” connected by a horizontal and vertical element), which indicate a mint in Caria, in southwestern Asia Minor

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