Stater: Head of Athena (obverse); Nike (Cleveland Museum of Art 1916.979)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 325–275 BCE
As the forces of Alexander III [the Great] advanced into Asia, the city-state of Salamis, on the island of Cyprus, voluntarily surrendered itself and its mint. Salamis began producing Macedonian-style coinage, adopting a helmeted Athena on the obverse and a winged Nike offering a laurel wreath on the reverse.
The rudder in the left field is the distinguishing symbol of Salamis, a nod to the city’s longstanding maritime prominence. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1916.979: Stater: Head of Athena (obverse); Nike (reverse), c. 325–275 BCE. Greek, Macedonian, minted at Salamis (Cyprus). Gold; diameter: 1.9 cm (3/4 in.). Inscribed: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (Of Alexander). 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
Athena appears off-center on this coin’s obverse due to an error in the minting process.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- gold
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 1.9 cm (3/4 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 1.9 cm (3/4 in.)
- Material and technique
- gold
Design
- Inscription
- ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (Of Alexander)
Identification
- Date recorded
- c. 325–275 BCE
- Culture period
- Greek, Macedonian, minted at Salamis (Cyprus)
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1916.979
- 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.