Multinuclear silver clusters encapsulated by DNA exhibit size-tunable emission spectra and rich photophysics, but their atomic organization is poorly understood. Herein, we describe the structure of one such hybrid chromophore, a green-emitting Ag 8 cluster arranged in a Big Dipper shape bound to the oligonucleotide A 2 C 4. Three 3' cytosine metallo-base pairs stabilize a parallel Aform-like duplex with a 5' adenine-rich pocket, which binds a metallic, trapezoidal-shaped Ag 5 moiety via Ag-N bonds to endo-and exo-cyclic nitrogens of cytosine and adenine. The unique DNA configuration, constrained coordination environment, and templated Ag 8 cluster arrangement highlight the reciprocity between the silvers and DNA in adopting this structure. These first atomic details of a DNA-encapsulated Ag cluster fluorophore illuminate many aspects of biological assembly, nanoscience, and metal cluster photophysics.