Electrotype Replica of Tetradrachm: Head of Athena (obverse); Owl (reverse)
1838–1916
Maker Unknown
Greek and Roman Art
Electrotype Replica of Tetradrachm: Head of Athena (obverse); Owl (reverse), 1838–1916. Greece (?). Silver-plated copper alloy (?); diameter: 3 cm (1 3/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of J. H. Wade 1916.977 With a green tint betraying its copper content, this coin is an electrotype replica created more than a century ago. It precisely replicates the form of a 2nd-century BC original. Retaining the basic scheme of Athena and owl from earlier Athenian coinage, these “New Style” tetradrachms—as scholars call them—give the goddess a more naturalistic appearance and add an amphora, olive wreath, and magistrate names to the reverse. This silver-plated replica weighs about 12 grams, nearly 30% less than a pure silver tetradrachm.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Coins
- Formatted Medium
- Silver-plated copper alloy (?)
- Medium
- silver-plated, copper, alloy
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 3 cm (1 3/16 in.)
- Inscribed
- Inscription: EYM/APEI/ΔΗΣ/ΑΛΚΙ/ΔΑΜ/ΔΙΟΝ Translation: Eumareides [and] Alkidamos Remark: Obverse; Eumareides and Alkidamos were brothers, Alkidamos was replaced after the second month in the year by Kleomenes. Inscription: ΑΘΕ Translation: ATHE, indicates that this coin is from Athens Remark: Reverse Inscription: ΜΕ Remark: Mint mark indicating that the coin was minted c. 113 BC
- Departments
- Greek and Roman Art
- Accession Number
- 1916.977
- Credit Line
- Gift of J. H. Wade
- Exhibitions
- Stories From Storage
- Rights Statement
- CC0
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