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Three things to know about ancient coins:
Coins have two sides: obverse and reverse.
Basic properties of coins: Mint location (where), time (when), design (what), size (diameters and weight), material, and value (denomination).
Why ancient coins? These mini sculptures are not just beautiful, but also a window to ancient history.
My 'digital collection' - updated 21/03/2025
My 'digital collection' - updated 21/03/2025
Ever since I started this hobby, I dream about owning my collection of coins, but as a student, this seems not quite feasible. So, I often go window shopping online albeit the lack of satisfaction of physically handling the coins. I gather interesting coins from museum collections, private collections, and auction catelogues, and curate my own collection. Feel free to look around, and maybe you'll find your favorite here too!
Lesbos: Winged lion, 480 - 430 B.C.
Lesbos: Winged lion, 480 - 430 B.C.
The combination of a lion and a eagle is amazing! Interestingly, this masculine image is from the island of Lesbos, where the word lesbian is from.
Klazomenai: Winged boar, c. 500 B.C.
Klazomenai: Winged boar, c. 500 B.C.
Look at the detailed feathers! The standing hair on this boar reminds me of the crest on Athena's helmet. There's a whole theory about how important boars/pigs are in ancient life.
Eretria: Cow scratching/Octopus,
Eretria: Cow scratching/Octopus,
500 - 465 B.C.
500 - 465 B.C.
I like how the artist created a dynamic scene of this cow scratching its face with a hoof. The octopus is just adding to the cuteness. No wonder this coin was sold at USD $13,605.
Elis: Flying eagle with snake/Nike, c. 460 B.C.
Elis: Flying eagle with snake/Nike, c. 460 B.C.
This coin was minted in connection with the Olympic games, where Zeus was worshipped. The eage+snake combo is a classic and used in other coins too, let along the Iliad reference. I picked this coin especially for the goddess Nike, who is reaching her arm out to bestow the victor's crown - a god-sent celebration!
Neapolis: Gorgon, c. 500-480 B.C.
Neapolis: Gorgon, c. 500-480 B.C.
There are so many gorgons in Greek coins. I always wanted a Christmas ugly sweater with a gorgon face on it. This gorgon face is especially scary - look at the squinty eyes, the sharp teeth, and the tongue!
Corinth: Pegasus, c. 550-500 B.C.
Corinth: Pegasus, c. 550-500 B.C.
The most famous mythical creature from Greek mythologies - pegasus (pegasos)! You can find pegasus in many Corinthian coins. Because Bellerophon, who became king of Corinth, tamed Pegasus with the aid of a golden bridle given to him by the goddess Athena. The reverse side is marked by an incuse punch, soon to develop into a swastika-like pattern (it has no political meaning obviously!).
Akragas: Eagle/Crab, c 495 - 480 B.C.
Akragas: Eagle/Crab, c 495 - 480 B.C.
How can I forget about the Sicilian crab! And here's something I didn't know about the inscriptions before:
"Of interest is the way the legend begins on the obverse and continues on to the reverse - this way of arranging the inscription is rarely found on Greek coins (on Roman coins, of course, the imperial titles commonly move from the obverse to the reverse) " nomos
The special <Athena and Owl> collection
The special <Athena and Owl> collection
This might be the most famous example of ancient Greek coins, and also the first one I got to know. I actually own a brass replica of the owl side (reverse side) as my lucky charm for exams. It was surprising to me that this classic design has many many variations, based on time and location - even outside of Greece! Compared to the different faces of the goddess Athana, I love it more to compare the faces of the owl. As you can find below, sometimes they have serious faces, and other times, they have a bad hair day and even confused sleepy face - which reflects the varying level of coin production skills.
Guides and resources:
A helpful visual guide to the variations in the owl coins on Numisforums.
A short introduction to the owl coins on NGC.
Head of Athena facing right, wearing earring and crested helmet decorated with olive-leaves. Obverse, 450 B.C. - 406 B.C.
Owl facing right, within incuse square; to the left, olive branch and crescent (next to the left shoulder). Reverse, 450 B.C. - 406 B.C. Inscription: ΑΘΕ (ATHE).
393 B.C. - 294 B.C. Later work. Athena looks more human, and her eyes are not looking at the viewer anymore. The owl has a much larger head, and thus looks more cartoonish.
527 B.C. - 430 B.C. I like how the owl is tilting his head like it is asking me a question.
594 B.C. - 527 B.C. A rare left-facing lean owl. But Athena should always facing right!
515 - 510 B.C. A rare find since the inscription is on the left of the owl, whereas the olive brand is upside down on the bottom right corner. The owl is standing quite stratight. Athena's helmet has a lie of pellets.
"This extraordinary piece was struck at the very beginning of the Owl Coinage of Athens, at a time when the design was not completely standardized. " nomos
527 - 430 B.C. A completely different owl - it is facing the viewers and has its wings spread. It definitely looks more intimidating! But on the obverse side, Athena is having a mysterious smile.
Below are some athena + owl but not minted in Athens.
Below are some athena + owl but not minted in Athens.
Lesbos: c. 377 - 326 B.C. Athena's helmet doesn't have olive branches compared to the Athenian ones. The owl looks a bit grumpier somehow. Obviously there is no ATHE inscriptions.
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