Tetradrachm

     So I am doing a project on a silver tetradrachm of Alexander the Great.  I thought a good place to start was learning what the heck a tetradrachm was, and thought I would share this (probably useless - but that is the point) piece of knowledge.

A drachm (also called a dram) was the primary unit of currency in Greece before the adoption of the euro.  It is a Greek unit of weight equal to six obols, an eighth of an ounce (fluid or solid), or 60 grains. 

Tetra means four.

Tetradrachm therefore means four drachms, or drams.  This would be equivalent to ½ ounce (4 X 1/8 oz. = ½ oz.)  It is an ancient Greek coin equivalent to four drachms, or ½ oz.

So now you know!  Here is a picture of the silver tetradrachm I am doing my project on, currently located at the British Museum in London.  (This is from their website.  I'll share my own photo when I go and see it for myself!)