Silver Tetradrachm, Naxos, 461 BCE

Silver Tetradrachm, Naxos, 461 BCE; Reverse: Naked seated Silenus, seated, holds drinking cup. Inscription NΑΧΙΟΝ (‘NAXION’ = “of the Naxians”).
Unidentified Artist, Greek

Type/Object Name: Ob:Head of Dionysus wearing an ivy wreath. | Re: Naked seated Silenus, seated, holds drinking cup. Inscription N螒围螜螣螡 (鈥楴AXION鈥 = 鈥渙f the Naxians鈥).

Dates: 461 BCE

Medium: Silver, Tetradrachm

Dimensions: Diameter 26.2 mm, Weight 16.3322 g

Credit Line: On loan to the 麻豆免费版下载Art Museum, courtesy of John Nebel

Notes: Powerful Art in a Tiny Format

The town of Naxos on Sicily chose to portray the god Dionysus on the obverse of its coins. This was a reference to the Greek island of Naxos, that shared a name with this city. On the island Naxos, the god Dionysus was said to have fallen in love with the Cretan princess Ariadne when Theseus brought her to the island after defeating the Minotaur. The artist who made this coin for the city of Naxos in Sicily emphasized the different qualities of the god鈥檚 hair and the sculpted modeling of his face. The reverse of the coin shows a naked seated satyr. He faces toward us but turns his head to look at his raised wine cup, a pose that shows off his muscled body and the skill of the artist. This coin is thought by modern experts to be one of the most spectacular examples of ancient Greek coin artistry.

Collection: Coin, John Nebel

Bibliography: Ex Garrett; MFA 302 and 303; all known examples from a single pair of dies.