Head of Deified Alexander the Great with Horn of Ammon

Head of Deified Alexander the Great with Horn of Ammon
Thrace, 297 - 281 B.C.
Obverse
Silver
(60.31.1)

The beginnings of royal portraiture on coins occurred after the establishment of the Hellenistic Kingdoms following the death of Alexander the Great (323 B.C.). Coin portraits, original works of art, are important evidence for Greek portraiture, which otherwise has survived mainly in Roman copies.

Greek coins were based on regulated weight standards. The Attic standard, based on the Athenian tetradrachm of 17 grammes, prevailed in many areas of Greece.

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