© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Æ Tetradrachm - Attambelos II 17 BC - 5 AD
| Bronze | 15.7 g | 27 mm |
| Issuer | Kingdom of Characene (Mesopotamia) |
|---|---|
| King | Attambelos II (17 BC - 5 AD) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 17 BC - 5 AD |
| Value | Tetradrachm (4) |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 15.7 g |
| Diameter | 27 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-10 |
| Numista | N#311952 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Herakles seated left on anvil-shaped seat, nude, holding with right hand a club set on his right knee flanked vertically by lettering, a monogram before his head, date in exergue generally illegible.
Script: Greek
Lettering:
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΤΤΑΜΒΗΛΟΥ
ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ
Translation:
Basileos Attambeloi Soteros Kaisar Euergetou.
King Attambelos the savior, the benefactor caesar.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it features a unique blend of Greek and Mesopotamian influences in its design. The coin's obverse side features a portrait of Attambelos II, while the reverse side depicts a mythological scene with a Greek goddess and a Mesopotamian god, highlighting the cultural exchange and fusion that occurred during the time of the Kingdom of Characene.
