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Both sides of an irregularly shaped silver-gray coin with relief decoration on each side.　

On the side of the coin on the left is the head of a man facing right, tendrils of curly hair held in place with a headband, small dots surround the border. The other side of the coin depicts an eagle standing on a thunderbolt facing left, head raised with wings at its side; to the left, a symbol; surrounding the border, the Greek characters: B A S I L E O S / P T O L E M A I O U.

Identification and Creation

Object Number
1.1965.2739
People
Ptolemy I Soter, Greek (r. 323-285 BCE)
Title
Octodrachm of Ptolemy I
Classification
Coins
Work Type
coin
Date
300 - 283 B.C.
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Africa, Alexandria (Egypt)
Period
Ptolemaic period
Culture
Greek
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/186457

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3440, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Ancient Middle Eastern Art in the Service of Kings
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Silver
Metal
AR
Technique
Struck
Dimensions
28.34 g
Die Axis
12
Denomination
octodrachm
Inscriptions and Marks
  • Reverse Inscription: BASILEOS PTOLEMAIOU; monogram in l. field

State, Edition, Standard Reference Number

Standard Reference Number
Svoronos 198; Jenkins, p.25 pl.5,2 (this coin); SNG Cop 48

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Loan from the Trustees of the Arthur Stone Dewing Greek Numismatic Foundation
Object Number
1.1965.2739
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
Obverse: Diademed head of Ptolemy r.
Reverse: BASILEOS PTOLEMAIOU; Eagle standing l. on thunderbolt; border of dots. Symbol to l.

Exhibition History

  • The Portrait, Harvard University Art Museums, Fogg Art Museum, Cambridge, 10/15/2004 - 01/09/2005
  • 32Q: 3440 Middle East, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Coins

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu