Tetradrachm: Head of Alexander III [The Great] (obverse); Athena (Cleveland Museum of Art 1916.994)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
306 BCE
Much like his former commander Alexander III (the Great) showed connections to Herakles and Zeus, Ptolemy I Soter (the Savior) used coins to validate his succession to power.
Thus, in place of Herakles with lion-skin, this coin shows Alexander in an elephant headdress, referring to their shared Eastern triumphs. On the reverse is Athena Promachos, striding forward with shield and spear. Before her are a helmet and an eagle, and behind her the inscription ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ, “of Alexander.” Cleveland Museum of Art object 1916.994: Tetradrachm: Head of Alexander III [The Great] (obverse); Athena (reverse), 306 BCE.
Egypt, Greco-Roman period (332 BCE–395 CE), reign of Ptolemy I (303–282 BCE), minted at Alexandria. Silver; overall: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.). Inscribed: ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (Of Alexander); HP. 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 image of Alexander the Great in an elephant headdress references his Eastern conquests.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- silver
- Dimensions
- Overall: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.)
- Measurements
- Overall: 2.9 cm (1 1/8 in.)
- Material and technique
- silver
Design
- Inscriptions
- ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΥ (Of Alexander); HP
Identification
- Date recorded
- 306 BCE
- Culture period
- Egypt, Greco-Roman period (332 BCE–395 CE), reign of Ptolemy I (303–282 BCE), minted at Alexandria
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1916.994
- Published references
- Neils, Jenifer. "The Twain Shall Meet." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 72, no. 6 (October 1985). p. 329
- 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.