In Greek mythology, a gorgon was one of the three monstrous sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa. They were
daughters of Ceto and Phorcus. Medusa was the only mortal one. The sister’s hair was a cluster of writhing snakes,
and their faces were so hideous that all who saw them were turned to stone. They were much represented in Greek art
forms, and often depicted on Greek coinage. One such coin is the Apollonia Pontika silver drachm. The drachms
feature a visually striking image of a Medusa head, with fierce gaze and tongue sticking out.
Medusa's image was regarded as powerful and lucky. It was intended to ward off evil, and protect and comfort friends.
Minted nearly two and a half thousand years ago this coin was designed to advertise its town of origin, Apollonia
Pontika on the Black Sea.
Among the most interesting and controversial Medusa coins are Apollonia Pontika drachms, minted in the Greek
colony of Apollonia Pontika, which was situated in Thrace along the Black Sea. The gorgon drachms of Apollonia are
dated to the later 5th and 4th century BC. The obverse of these coins features a facing head of Medusa in classic Attic
style, a long protruding tongue, and snakes for hair. On the coin’s reverse is an anchor, which flukes up, a crayfish
(used by Greeks for naming a city symbol on coins), and the letter “A” (for the mintmark). The anchor and the
crayfish attest to the city’s reliance on maritime commerce for its economy, and the anchor depicted on these coins is
actually one of the first anchors of modern design rendered in Greek art.
Data:
Obverse: Facing gorgon
Reverse: Upright anchor, the letter A, and a crayfish
Diameter: 13-14.9 mm
Weight: 2.6-2.8 grams
Box measures: 3.87” X 3.87” X 1.25”
Order code: APOLLONIABOX
All coins in each set are protected in an archival capsule and beautifully displayed in a mahogany-like box.
The box set is accompanied with a story card, certificate of authenticity, and a black embossed gift box.
Coin type and grade may vary somewhat from image