MA-Shops Offers Ancient Greek Coins

Greece is one of the most brilliant civilizations in world history. This ancient civilization laid many foundations for several nations, including philosophy, science, art and architecture. Along with many other ground-breaking firsts, they were the first innovators in Western civilization to mint coins. Throughout the centuries, their coins depict the story of a culture with a passion for heroes, religion and political triumphs.

MA-Shops is pleased to feature ancient Greek coins from the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods.

Archaic Period (until about 480 B.C.)

Lucania, Sirinos 540-510 B.C. Nomos or Tridrachm

Following a style peculiar to Greek Southern Italy, this rare and unusual piece depicts an animal on the obverse. At the same time, the reverse repeats the motif but in negative relief or incuse. It is offered at €60,000 (about $60,000 USD).

Troas, Assos 500-450 B.C. Troas Drachma

This Assos example of the lion’s head and griffin looking in opposite directions is scarce and one of the lesser-known drachma coins. The lion’s head, facing right, bares his prominent teeth and tongue within a square incuse. With clear-struck lines, this lightly toned coin is the best-known specimen of its kind. This incredible coin is offered at €6,500 (about $6,500 USD).

Thessalia, Pharsalos 400-370 B.C. Drachma

Featuring images in a beautiful classical style, this rare Drachma was struck from master die cutter Telephantos. The goddess Athena is predominantly shown wearing an Attic helmet, with raised cheek pieces in small letters behind the neck. The reverse features a Thessalian cavalryman on a horse, wearing petasos, chlamys and short chiton while holding lagobolon over his shoulder. This stunning coin is offered at €3,750 (about $3,750 USD).

Classical Period (480–323 B.C.)

Kyrenaica, Kyrene 322-314 B.C. Gold Stater

This very rare coin type is in an exceptional state of preservation. The obverse shows Nike driving a quadriga, holding kentron and reins, while Zeus-Lykaios is seated, holding an eagle on the reverse. Beautifully struck with original luster, this coin is offered at €130,000 (about $130,000 USD).

Thessalia, Larissa 356-342 B.C. Drachma

This rare coin with an attractive tone is well-struck with fine details in the classical style. The obverse features the head of the nymph Larissa, wearing a plain necklace and an earring. Her hair, confined by an ampyx, flows loosely around her face. The reverse shows a horse standing with its forefoot raised. This detailed coin is offered at €3,550 (about $3,550 USD).

Macedonia 424-380 B.C Tetradrachm

An extremely fine example features a lion jumping on a kneeling bull, while the reverse shows a square divided into four with finely grained fields. This coin is being offered at €12,000 (about $12,000 USD).

Attica, Athens 475-460 B.C. Tetradrachm

This coin is one of the very rare first groups of Athenian Tetradrachms that show the crescent moon on the reverse. An archaic head of the helmeted Athena (patron deity of Athens) is predominately displayed on the obverse. An owl, Athena’s emblem, is shown on the reverse, with a crescent moon and a drooping olive branch. It is offered at $22,050 USD.

Hellenistic period (323–31 B.C.)

Zeugitana, Carthage 350-320 B.C. Stater

The gold coin’s obverse features the bust of Tanit, with hair wreathed with grain ears and wearing a triple-pendant earring and necklace with ten pendants. The horse, shown on the reverse, is standing right on exergual line. Graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface, this well-struck coin is being offered at $18,900 USD.

Caria, Mylasa 175-150 B.C. Tetradrachm

A Tetradrachm is a fine example, displaying a rose with two buds on the obverse while an eagle is standing on a palm branch, with wings spread on the reverse. This ancient coin is offered at $6,300 USD.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes 166-165 B.C. Tetradrachm

Created during the reign of Antiochus IV, this toned coin was struck for the Panhellenic festival. Themed with the god Apollo, the coin features the sun god’s head, crowned with a laurel wreath, and the reverse design is reminiscent of the sculpture of Apollo Citharoedus, wearing a long peplos and playing the lyre. An Apollo profile on the obverse is rarer than its companion piece, which shows the head of Zeus. Only 10 examples are recorded, so it may be one of the most desirable coins issued by the Seleucid kings. This rarity is offered at $18,900 USD.

Macedonia, Pyrrhus of Epirus, Amphipolis 288-284 B.C. Tetradrachm

This Tetradrachm is designed with a mythological theme. The obverse features the head of young Herakles clad in a lion’s skin, while his father Zeus is sitting on his throne, holding an eagle and a scepter on the reverse. It is being offered at €25,000 (about $25,000 USD).

MA-Shops is offering more than 15,000 Greek coins; click here to view.

About Us:

MA-Shops.com, the world’s most trusted numismatic marketplace, features ancient, U.S., and world coins, medals, banknotes, stamps and antiquities sold by certified dealers from around the world. Collectors can buy with confidence knowing all items offered on the website are guaranteed. Founded in 2005 by Joachim Schwiening, CEO, their memberships include: ANA, FUN, NGC, PMG and others. For more information, contact Kathy Bender, U.S. Business Development Manager, at bender@ma-shops.com.