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Unknown Maker, Greek

Stater coin
Now On View

Maker

Unknown Maker, Greek

Culture

Greek

Title

Stater coin

Year

320-270 BCE

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

silver

Geography

Mint: Cnossus

Dimensions

Weight: 10.8 g (10.8 g)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Museum Appropriation Fund

Object Number

40.015.371

Type

Exhibition History

Ancient Greek and Roman Galleries
Sep 22, 2010

Label copy

The island of Crete, site of the prehistoric Minoan civilization (3000-1000 BCE) had a colored history when this coin was minted. Homer wrote of the Cretan King Minos, whose wife gave birth to the half-man half-bull Minotaur. At the king’s behest, the craftsman Daedalus designed a labyrinth to contain the creature. The hero Theseus slew the Minotaur with the help of Ariadne, the daughter of Minos. The story of the Minotaur and his labyrinth was cherished on Crete for centuries. The portrayal of the famed labyrinth on this coin shows the enduring nature of cultural mythology.

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
Stater coin, 320-270 BCE
Silver
Weight: 10.8 g (10.8 g)
Museum Appropriation Fund 40.015.371

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