Tetradrachm Depicting the God Zeus
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Reign of Phillip II (359–336 BCE)
This ancient Greek silver tetradrachm was produced during the reign of Philip II of Macedon (359–336 BCE) and minted in Pella, ancient Macedon. It has a recorded diameter of 2.6 cm (1 1/16 in.) and features a circular format displaying both obverse and reverse designs.
The front (obverse) of the coin features a right-facing profiled head of the god Zeus, adorned with a wreath in his hair and a beard, framed within a circular beaded border. This design reflected Philip II's claim of his family's descent from Zeus. The reverse side depicts a jockey mounted atop a walking or prancing horse, commemorating Philip II's horse race victory at the Olympic Games. The coin bears the Greek inscription "ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ", translating to "(minted by) Philip".
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
Philip II, king of Macedon, minted this coin following his horse's victory in the Olympic horse races in 356 BCE, the same year his son Alexander the Great was born. Horse races at the quadrennial Olympic games honoring Zeus were symbols of high socioeconomic status, as only the privileged, including kings and tyrants, could afford the acquisition, training, and transport of equestrian teams to Olympia.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Dimensions
- Diam.: 2.6 cm (1 1/16 in.)
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Reverse: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΥ "(minted by) Philip"
- Maker recorded
- Greek; minted in Pella, ancient Macedon, Greece
- Place recorded
- Pella
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 God Zeus
- Museum object number
- 1922.4923
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.