Lesson plan based on Alexander Coin
Research and recreate coins from ancient civilizations to determine how the imagery reflects the cultures which originally made them.
Skills and Focus: Studio, Art History
Subject Area: Fine Arts
Thematic Connection: Money, Signs and Symbols
Grade Level: Secondary School
Time Needed: 80 minutes
Objective
• Recognize how images on the Alexander coin reflect his rule.
• Discover through research coins from other areas and periods.
• Recreate an ancient coin using tooling foil.
• Analyze how the recreated coin reflects the society that originally made it.
Instructional Materials Needed
Stories: Who Was Alexander? and Coins in the Greek World
Pencils or ball point pens
Scissors
Tooling foil circles cut the same size as the coin template
Poster board circles cut the same size as the coin template
Glue
Print Resources:
Ancient Art at The Art Institute of Chicago. Museum Studies, vol. 20, no. 1, 1994.
Online Resources:
• The Perseus Project:
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/art&arch.html [click on Coin Catalog]
• Edward J. Waddell, Ltd., Ancient Coin Specialists:
Activity
Step 1: Discuss how the images on the Alexander coin reflect his rule.
Step 2: Have students conduct research in the library or on the Internet to find coin(s) from other ancient cultures to reproduce. They should record the culture, dates, historical context, and images depicted for their presentation.
Step 3: Students should sketch their designs with pencil on coin templates. Remind them that the final image will appear in reverse.
Step 4: Have students cut out a template and lay on one circle of foil. Using a dull pencil or ball point pen, they should carefully trace the design while applying steady pressure with the pen or pencil. Have students experiment with pressure applied to produce different effects. Repeat with the other design.
Step 5: Students should glue the foil circles onto each side of one poster board circle.
Step 6: Display the coins along with each students' written analysis of how the coin reflects the society that originally made it.
Goals
This activity meets Illinois State Goal 26: Through creating and performing, understand how works of art are produced.
This activity meets Illinois State Goal 27: Understand the role of the arts in civilizations, past and present.
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