Tetradrachm: Head of Young Herakles (obverse); Zeus (Cleveland Museum of Art 1916.981)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
336–323 BCE
On this coin, the head of a youthful Herakles, wearing his lion-skin, appears on the obverse, with his father Zeus, king of the gods, seated on the reverse. For Alexander III (the Great), who claimed descent from the line of Herakles, coins like this one projected power.
Thus, while their attributes (lion-skin, eagle, scepter) identify hero and god, the inscription ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (of Alexander) identifies the leader. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1916.981: Tetradrachm: Head of Young Herakles (obverse); Zeus (reverse), 336–323 BCE. Greek, Macedonian, minted at Amphipolis (Macedonia), reign of Alexander III [The Great]. Silver; diameter: 2.6 cm (1 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
The Pegasos protome beside Zeus (on the reverse) indicates that this coin was minted at Amphipolis.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- silver
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 2.6 cm (1 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 2.6 cm (1 in.)
- Material and technique
- silver
Design
- Inscription
- ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (Of Alexander)
Identification
- Date recorded
- 336–323 BCE
- Culture period
- Greek, Macedonian, minted at Amphipolis (Macedonia), reign of Alexander III [The Great]
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1916.981
- 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.