contorniate

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Object Type
Museum number: R.4803
Description: Copper alloy contorniate. (whole); Head of Alexander III, wearing lion's skin headdress, right; inlaid silver countermark before. (obverse); Olympias seated left on couch, feeding snake from patera. (reverse)
State
Cultures/periods
Production date: 4thC(late)-5thC
Production place: Minted in: Rome (city)
Materials: copper alloy; silver
Technique
Dimensions: Die-axis: 11 o'clock; Weight: 26.660 grammes
$Inscriptions
Bibliographic references: Alföldi / Die Kontorniat-Medaillons (3.1); Mittag 1999 / Alte Köpfe in neuen Händen: Urheber und Funktion der Kontorniaten (Alexander II) (obverse die); Stutzinger 1983 / Spätantike und frühes Christentum (188)
Location: Not on display
Exhibition history: Exhibited: 2013 22 Mar-3 Nov, Rosenheim, Verantaltungs-und Kongress GmbH, Alexander the Great - Ruler of the World 2014, June - Oct, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, 'The Extraordinary in the Ordinary: Chairs for Viewing the World through Time.' 2022-2023 21 Oct-19 Feb, London, British Library, Alexander: Legend of a Life
Subjects: royal/imperial; reptile
Associated names: Named in inscription & portrayed: Alexander the Great; Named in inscription & portrayed: Olympias
Department: Coins and Medals
Registration number: R.4803
Conservation

Free entry