Hecte: Head of Omphale (obverse); Incuse Square (Cleveland Museum of Art 1916.973)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
387–326 BCE
This very small electrum coin shows the Lydian queen Omphale on the obverse. She can be distinguished from Herakles, whose lion-skin she wears, by her earring. Also visible, over her shoulder, is the hero’s club, while beneath her swims a small seal— phôkê in Greek, a punning reference to Phokaia, where the coin was made. The reverse features a much simpler design, a quartered incuse square. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1916.973: Hecte: Head of Omphale (obverse); Incuse Square (reverse), 387–326 BCE. Greek, minted at Phokaia (Ionia). Electrum (gold-silver alloy); diameter: 0.9 cm (3/8 in.). Details are those of this museum object; how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- 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 Lydian queen Omphale wears the lion skin of Herakles, whom she enslaved.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- electrum (gold-silver alloy)
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 0.9 cm (3/8 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 0.9 cm (3/8 in.)
- Material and technique
- electrum (gold-silver alloy)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 387–326 BCE
- Culture period
- Greek, minted at Phokaia (Ionia)
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1916.973
- Museum classification
- Coins
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.
Research required
- Research required: this record describes a single museum object; confirm the wider coin type and standard catalogue references (e.g. SNG, RPC, RIC) against numismatic literature.