Gold Stater, Pergamon, mid to late 330s BCE
Type/Object Name: Ob: Head of Heracles wearing Nemean lion skin. | Re: Circular incuse with a statue of Pallas Athena in a standing frontal pose, holding a spear in her right arm, which is raised upright, as if she is about to throw it. Shield with four-pointed star with a fillet hanging below resting on her left shoulder. Crested Corinthian helmet on lower left.Â
Dates: mid to late 330s BCE
Medium: Gold, Stater
Dimensions: Diameter 17.7 mm, Weight 8.6011 g
Credit Line: Courtesy of John Nebel
Notes: Conquests of Alexander the Great
This gold coin was minted at Pergamon in northwestern Asia Minor, which surrendered to Alexander in 334 BCE. It may be one of the first coins minted under the authority of Alexander himself. The obverse shows the head of Heracles wearing the skin of the Nemean Lion, with facial features that link him to portraits of Alexander. The reverse shows a statue of Pallas Athena holding spear and shield. Experts think this portrays a statue, in part because of the tall hat she wears on her head. The helmet to her side reinforces her warrior status. Pergamon was an important center of Athena’s worship, and this coin links Alexander to the city and the goddess, as well as to Heracles.
Collection: Coin, John Nebel
Bibliography: de Callataÿ, François. 2012. Les statères de Pergame et les réquisitions d'Alexander le Grand. In Revue Numismatique 169e Volume. Page 184 j (this coin). Société Paris: Française de Numastique; Westermark, Ulla. 1979. Notes on the Saida hoard (IGCH 1508). In Nordisk Numismatisk Årsskrift.1979-1980. Page 28 f, page 29 #36-37, and pages 30-32. Oslo - Bergen - Tromsø: Universitetsforlaget; Head, Barclay V. 1932. London: British Museum; Babelon, Jean. 1930. A Guide to the Principal Coins of the Greeks Catalogue de la Collection de Luynes. III. Page 52 #25 and Plate28 #25.Page 22 #2493 and Plate XCIII #2493. Paris: Bibliothèque Nationale.