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Unknown Maker, Greek

Four-drachma coin (tetradrachm)
Now On View

Description

Maker

Unknown Maker, Greek

Culture

Greek

Title

Four-drachma coin (tetradrachm)

Year

ca. 394-304 BCE

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

silver

Geography

Mint: Rhodes

Dimensions

Weight: 14.6 g (14.6 g)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Museum Appropriation Fund

Object Number

40.015.229

Type

Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Ancient Greek and Roman Galleries
Sep 22, 2010

Label copy

Helios was an eastern sun god who was assimilated into Greek culture. In this coin the unique frontal depiction allows the hair to fan out, much like the rays of the sun. Roses like the one on the reverse of the coin were so abundant on the island that it was said that sailors could smell the shore miles away. Here, it is also a pun on the name of Rhodes, which sounds very similar to the Greek word for flower, rhodon.

Use & Feedback

Image use

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This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Greek
Four-drachma coin (tetradrachm), ca. 394-304 BCE
Silver
Weight: 14.6 g (14.6 g)
Museum Appropriation Fund 40.015.229

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