Participation in the exhibition “Copying (in) the Past: Stories of Imitation and Inspiration”

The Alpha Bank Numismatic Collection loaned 6 items to the exhibition “Copying (in) the Past: Stories of Imitation and Inspiration”:

• Gold stater of Philip II, Macedon, 325-317 BCE. The obverse depicts a head of the god Apollo. On the reverse, a charioteer riding a synoris (2-horse chariot).
• Gold stater from present-day Switzerland (of the Helvetii Celtic tribe), early 3rd century BCE. The coin type mimics the stater issued by Philip II of Macedon.
• Silver tetradrachm, Thasos, 180-170 BCE. The obverse depicts a head of the god Dionysus. On the reverse, Heracles with his signature club and lion skin. The legend reads “ΗΡΑΚΛΕΟΥΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΘΑΣΙΩΝ” (to Heracles, saviour to the people of Thasos).
• Celtic silver tetradrachm from the Danube area, 50-10 BCE. The coin type mimics the tetradrachm of Thasos.
• Silver tetradrachm of Alexander the Great, Macedon, 336-323 BCE. The obverse depicts a head of Heracles; on the obverse, Zeus on his throne.
• Celtic silver tetradrachm from the Danube area, 2nd century BCE. The coin type mimics the tetradrachm issued by Alexander the Great.

Imitation as a phenomenon

The exhibition explored the phenomenon of imitation in its countless past and present forms. Its 110 items told tales of imitation and inspiration covering a vast timeline from prehistory to modern times. Text, sound and images combined to engage visitors in a creative dialogue.

Exhibits from other museums and institutions

Other participating institutions included the Museum of Casts and Antiquities of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the French School at Athens, the National Gallery – Alexandros Soutsos Museum, the Benaki Museum – Ghika Gallery, the Teloglion Fine Arts Foundation – AUTH and the Municipal Art Gallery of Thessaloniki.