Coin Depicting Bust of Dionysos
3rd century CE
Medium
Bronze
Dimensions
Diam.: 1.7 cm (11/16 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
142751
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The front (obverse) of this coin depicts a bust of young Dionysos facing right, and wearing an ivy-wreath. On the back (reverse) is a lyre, a stringed instrument like a small harp. 6mm, Autonomous issue; 3rd Cent. AD. no legend, head of youthful Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy or vine leaves / (from top right) ΠEΡINΘIΩN, lyre with four strings. BMC 7.
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...