Tetradrachm Depicting the God Apollo Gryneios
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
189 BCE or later
This ancient Greek silver tetradrachm measures 3.6 cm in diameter and was minted in Myrina, Aeolis, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), dating to 189 BCE or later. The obverse side depicts the laureate head of the god Apollo facing to the right. Apollo is shown wearing a wreath composed of laurel leaves.
The reverse side presents Apollo marching toward the right, holding a patera in one hand and a garlanded laurel branch in the other. At the deity's feet are an omphalos and a diota, with the composition enclosed within a laurel wreath. The reverse bears the Greek inscription ΜΥΡΙΝΑΙΩΝ.
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
Laurel was regarded as the sacred plant of Apollo. In mythological tradition, the god pursued the nymph Daphne, who chose to transform into a laurel tree to escape him.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Silver
- Dimensions
- Diam.: 3.6 cm (1 7/16 in.)
Technical characteristics
- Inscriptions
- Reverse: ΜΥΡΙΝΑΙΩΝ
- Maker recorded
- Greek; minted in Myrina, Aeolis, Asia Minor (now Turkey)
- Place recorded
- Greece
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 Apollo Gryneios
- Museum object number
- 1922.4927
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.