2017-01-04 Wed

The iconography plays a very important role in numismatics. Ancient Greece is one of the earliest coin issuer in the world with some outstanding iconography. The coinage of Greece is divided into three periods: Ancient Greece (800 BC to 480 BC), Classical Greece (480 BC to 320 BC) and Hellenistic (323 BC to 31 BC). They issued silver, gold, bronze, copper and electrum coins (electrum is a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, with trace amounts of copper and other metals). Silver Tetradrachm (17.2 g) is the highest denomination which we come across in Greece coinage. The Die struck technique was used to mint the coins.

Greek coins usually depict gods and goddesses on the obverse and birds, trees, animals, fishes, flowers, etc on the reverse of their coin. We also see different types of helmets on them.

There were around 2000 city states in Ancient Greece and each and every city state had a patron god to it. For example, Athens coin had Athena on the obverse and Owl (her vehicle) on the reverse. Similarly, Aegina had Turtle, Thebes ad shield, Rhodes had Helios on obverse and rose in reverse, Corinth had Pegasus, etc.

There are large varieties in Greek coinage, the more you see the more you will fall in love with them. Though we are very not familiar with the ancient Greek dynasties and kings, the city-state takes all the praise for minting such beautiful coins.

This was just a glance at Greek coinage. Soon will be starting the World coinage and then you can have a closer insight into the Ancient World and their coinage. Till then keep patience and stay connected with our website because a lot more is coming!