Tetradrachm: Head of Alexander (obverse); Athena (Cleveland Museum of Art 1917.984)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
297–281 BCE
A contemporary of Alexander the Great and one of his generals, Lysimachos used coins like this one to emphasize his connections to the fallen leader. The images of the goddesses Athena and Nike, or Victory, on the reverse, together with an inscription naming King Lysimachos, further legitimize his reign, first in Thrace and then in parts of Macedonia and Asia Minor. Cleveland Museum of Art object 1917.984: Tetradrachm: Head of Alexander (obverse); Athena (reverse), 297–281 BCE. Greek, Macedonian, minted at Lysimachia (Thrake), reign of Lysimachos. Silver; diameter: 3 cm (1 3/16 in.). Inscribed: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ | ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ (Of the king Lysimachos); ΑΡ; Λ within Π. 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
Although Alexander the Great appears on this coin, the inscription on the reverse identifies its issuer as Lysimachos.
Physical characteristics
- Materials
- silver
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 3 cm (1 3/16 in.)
- Measurements
- Diameter: 3 cm (1 3/16 in.)
- Material and technique
- silver
Design
- Inscriptions
- ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ | ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ (Of the king Lysimachos); ΑΡ; Λ within Π
Identification
- Date recorded
- 297–281 BCE
- Culture period
- Greek, Macedonian, minted at Lysimachia (Thrake), reign of Lysimachos
- Holding institution
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Museum object number
- 1917.984
- Published references
- "Accessions." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 4, no. 4 (1917): 64-67. Mentioned: p. 64
- 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.