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Electrotype Replica of Tetradrachm: Head of Athena Parthenos (obverse)

1838–1916

The Cleveland Museum of Art

The Cleveland Museum of Art
Cleveland, United States

With a green tint betraying its copper content, this coin is an electrotype replica created more than a century ago. It precisely replicates the form of a 2nd-century BC original. Retaining the basic scheme of Athena and owl from earlier Athenian coinage, these “New Style” tetradrachms—as scholars call them—give the goddess a more naturalistic appearance and add an amphora, olive wreath, and magistrate names to the reverse.

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  • Title: Electrotype Replica of Tetradrachm: Head of Athena Parthenos (obverse)
  • Date Created: 1838–1916
  • Physical Dimensions: Diameter: 3 cm (1 3/16 in.)
  • Type: Coins
  • Rights: CC0
  • External Link: https://clevelandart.org/art/1916.977.a
  • Medium: Silver-plated copper alloy (?)
  • Fun Fact: This silver-plated replica weighs about 12 grams, nearly 30% less than a pure silver tetradrachm.
  • Department: Greek and Roman Art
  • Culture: Greece (?)
  • Credit Line: Gift of J. H. Wade
  • Collection: GR - Greek
  • Accession Number: 1916.977.a
The Cleveland Museum of Art

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