Greek Lion Hemidrachm Pendant

Item #1232
$1,075.00

Share on Facebook

 

  • Obverse: Lion
  • Reverse: Incuse Square
  • Date: 386 – 338 BC. Grade: Good Very Fine
  • Mint: Cherronesos, Thrace
  • Silver Hemidrachm Coin in 14k White Gold Pendant, Weight 4.1g
  • Framed Coin Size: 15mm Diameter, with 3mm Bail Opening for Necklace
  • Size Chart with mm to inches Conversions

Certificate

View Certificate of Authenticity

What's included with your order

Package Included

See All That's Included With Your Treasure Order!

Add a Necklace

Add A Necklace

Add a Necklace to your Pendant

Description:

This coin was minted during the 4th century BC in the Greek colonies of Thracian Cherronesos, located on a strategic peninsula along shipping routes in the northern Aegean Sea, which is present-day Gallipoli in Turkey. Settlers from ancient Greece founded 12 cities on the peninsula in the 7th century BC. However, in 560 BC, the Athenian statesman Miltiades the Elder took authority over the entire peninsula, building up its defenses against incursions from the mainland. By the 4th century BC, Thracian Cherronesos became the focus of a bitter territorial dispute between Athens and Philip II, King of Macedonia and father of Alexander the Great. The peninsula was eventually ceded to Philip in 338 BC.
The silver lion hemidrachm coins of Cherronesos were an important currency during the Greek classical period, used in trade with cities along the coast of the Black Sea. The obverse side of this ancient coin depicts the forepart of a lion, bounding to the right and reverting his head to look back. The lion was not indigenous to Greek lands, however the lion was still a popular beast renowned for its power and hunting prowess. Lions have been depicted in Greek art for centuries before coins were minted. The reverse side is unique as of the four squares, two are raised and two are sunken. These incuse squares were used on the early Greek coinage to hold the coin in place for the hammer strike on the obverse.