Greek
Tetradrachm (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Athena
INV-9655
Greekabout 163 BCE
Tetradrachm (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Athena
Greek →greekancientcoinancient art
Date
about 163 BCE
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Diam.: 3 cm (1 3/16 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Gift of Mrs. William Nelson Pelouze
The front of this coin depicts the goddess Athena Parthenos wearing a triple crested Athenian helmet, the decorative scheme of which includes a flying Pegasus, palmettes and scrolls; the cheek piece of the helmet is raised, revealing loose curls of hair on the goddess's neck and a pendant earring. A decorative border of dots is partially preserved.
On the back an Owl, another symbol of Athena, stands atop a vessel on its side. A diminutive eagle is shown perched at left. The scene is encircled by an olive wreath.
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