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Unknown Maker, Greek

Four-drachma coin (tetradrachm)
Now On View

Maker

Unknown Maker, Greek

Culture

Greek

Title

Four-drachma coin (tetradrachm)

Year

ca. 420-355 BCE

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

silver

Geography

Mint: Chalcidian League

Dimensions

Weight: 14.2 g (14.2 g)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Museum Appropriation Fund

Object Number

40.015.34

Type

Articles

Excavation to Exhibition

Exhibition History

Ancient Greek and Roman Galleries
Sep 22, 2010

Label copy

Depicted on this coin is a lyre, a popular instrument in the ancient world. The Greeks commemorated births, harvests, banquets, and deaths with music. Poetry was written to have musical accompaniment, musical competitions were held during athletic contests, and musicians gained fame for their skill and compositions. This coin honors Apollo, god of the sun and music. Apollo’s representations share a repetitive yet unique nature. The sun rises every day and the beats and rhythms of music can be repeated, but no day or performance is ever the same.

Image use

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Public Domain 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. 420-355 BCE
Silver
Weight: 14.2 g (14.2 g)
Museum Appropriation Fund 40.015.34

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