Tetradrachm, Alexander I, 500 B.C., from the Ancient Coins series (N180) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.

Art Historical Context

Step into the captivating world of 19th ephemera with this petite commercial color lithograph,Tetradrachm, Alexander I, 500.C.*, from the Ancient Coins series (N180) produced by Wm. S. & Co. in 1888. Measuring just 1 1/2 × 2 5/8 inches, this vibrant print faithfully reproduces an ancient Greek silver tetradrachm coin struck around 500 B.C. during the reign of Alexander I, king of Macedon. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, it exemplifies the era's trade cards—often tucked into cigarette packs to entice collectors. Chromolithography, the innovative color printing technique used here, allowed for stunning, multi-hued reproductions at scale, blending artistry with commerce. Kimball & Co., a Rochester-based tobacco firm, issued these cards to promote their products while sparking interest in classical antiquity. The tetradrachm itself, featuring intricate portraits and symbols of power, reflects ancient Greek numismatic mastery, evoking the heroic age of figures like Alexander I, a contemporary of Persian kings and early Olympic champions. Today, this unassuming gem highlights how everyday objects bridged past and present, fueling Victorian fascination with history. A delightful nod to collecting culture, it reminds us how art hides in the smallest packages.

About the Artist

William S. Kimball & Company · 1850–1950

**William S. Kimball & Company**, a pioneering American tobacco manufacturer, was established in 1846 in Rochester, New York, by William S. Kimball and James C. Hart. The firm quickly grew into one of the city's largest employers, particularly of women, producing popular brands like Peerless chewing tobacco, Rigatta and Fireside smoking tobacco, and Vanity Fair cigarettes. Under Kimball's leadersh...