Tetradrachm (Coin) Depicting the God Apollo Gryneios
189 BCE or later
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Diam.: 3.6 cm (1 7/16 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
96056
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The front (obverse) of this coin depicts the head of the god Apollo, laureate, facing to the right. The back (reverse) depicts Apollo marching right, holding a patera and garlanded laurel branch; at his feet are an omphalos and diota. This coin is recognized as one of the most beautiful examples of minting from antiquity. Apollo is wearing a wreath of laurel, which was his sacred plant. In his youth Apollo pursued a nymph named Daphne (another name for laurel), who chose to turn into a laurel t...
About the Artist
Ancient Greek
The artist known simply as "Ancient Greek" represents the anonymous masters of Attic vase painting, a cornerstone of Classical Greek art from the Archaic and Classical periods (circa 700–300 BCE). Little is known of their personal life, as ancient Greek potters and painters rarely signed their works or left biographical traces; early life and training remain not well documented. These creators ope...