Tetradrachm (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Persephone
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
310-307 BCE
This ancient Greek silver tetradrachm was minted in Syracuse, Sicily, dating between 310 and 307 BCE. The coin has a diameter of 2.8 cm (1 1/8 in.) and displays circular designs struck onto both faces.
The obverse features the head of the goddess Persephone facing right, adorned with a wreath or crown of grain in her hair. It carries the Greek inscription "ΚΟΡΑΣ". The reverse depicts a seminude winged Nike holding a hammer and facing a military trophy. The reverse also bears the inscribed legend "[ΑΓΑΘΟ]ΚΛΕΙΟΣ".
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The city of Syracuse was traditionally considered the site of the mythological abduction of Persephone, daughter of the agriculture goddess Demeter. In the myth, Hades abducted Persephone to the underworld as his wife, prompting Demeter to wither the crops until an agreement allowed Persephone to return annually, her reappearance marking spring as symbolized by the wreath of grain in her hair.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Dimensions
- Diam.: 2.8 cm (1 1/8 in.)
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Obverse: ΚΟΡΑΣ Reverse: [ΑΓΑΘΟ]ΚΛΕΙΟΣ
- Maker recorded
- Greek, minted in Syracuse, Sicily
- Place recorded
- Syracuse
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Art Institute of Chicago collection record for this single object; how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Museum object name
- Tetradrachm (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Persephone
- Museum object number
- 1922.4908
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.