Stater (?) (Coin) Depicting the Goddess Athena
4th-mid 3rd century BCE
Medium
Silver
Dimensions
Diam.: 2.1 cm (7/8 in.)
Classification
coin
Department
Arts of Greece, Rome, and Byzantium
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
111012
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The front (obverse) of this coin depicts the head of goddess Athena to right, in crested Athenean helmet, on which a griffon with round wings leaps right; heavy curls below neckpiece at temples. The back (reverse) depicts a lion walking right, mouth open; above pentagram.
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...