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Tetradrachm of Ptolemy (Observe: Alexander; Reverse: Athena)

Tetradrachm of Ptolemy (Observe: Alexander; Reverse: Athena)

Artist
CultureGreek
Datec. 301-290 BCE
Mediumsilver
Dimensions1 1/8 in., 0.0022 lb. (2.9 cm, 0.001 kg)
Classificationscoins & medals
Credit LineGift of Henry and Sara Immerwahr
Object number91.99
DescriptionObverse:
Head of Alexander, wearing elephant skin, diadem, and uraeus. A row of curls appears before the diadem.

Reverse:
Helmeted Athena striding to right, with spear in raised right hand, shield in left. She wears a peplos and a short mantle hangs from her arms, her draperies rendered in an archaizing manner, exaggerating the swallowtail and ziz-zag folds of the late Archaic period. The round ornament on her chest suggests the gorgon on her cross-band cape or aegis. Two mint marks appear beneath the swallowtails of her garment: a mark (W?) in a circle at left and a “D I” at right. Vertically at left, is “ΑΛΕΞΝΔΡΟΥ” (of Alexandros). An eagle appears in the lower right corner, the right side cut off. Dots comprise the border, mostly missing, as the image on the reverse is a little off-center.
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