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 Replies: 20 / Views: 3,925 |
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
Prison-Coin #2 => 2nd of 15 coins (Mysia Parion Hemi) This is the second oldest coin that I purchased during last month's time-out:  MYSIA PARION AR (Silver) Hemidrachm4th CENTURY BC Diameter: 15mm Weight: 2.23 grams Obverse: Head of Gorgoneion facing, tongue protruding, head surrounded by snakes Reverse: Bull standing left, head right; below, grain ear right Reference: SNG France 1373-6; BMC 23 Other: VF+. even nicer in hand
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1411 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
 3352 Posts |
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In Greek mythology, the Gorgon was a terrifying female creature. The name derives from the Greek word gorgós, which means "dreadful"
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While descriptions of Gorgons vary across Greek literature and occurs in the earliest examples of Greek literature, the term commonly refers to any of three sisters who had hair of living, venomous snakes, and a horrifying visage that turned those who beheld her to stone.
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Traditionally, while two of the Gorgons were immortal, Stheno and Euryale, their sister Medusa was not, and she was slain by the mythical demigod and hero Perseus. |
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
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Parion was a city of Mysia (Hellespontine Phrygia), located along the coast of the Hellespont, near the entrance to the Propontis. It was founded in the 8th/7th century BC by colonists from Miletos, Erythrai, and Paros (the latter of which are likely responsible for giving the city its name).
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The city began striking coinage in the late 6th century, consisting mainly of silver drachms with a gorgoneion on the obverse and a simple square incuse on the reverse. The gorgoneion remained a significant type on its civic coinage well into the early Roman Imperial period. |
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
 ... ummm, anybody? => good, bad, ugly? |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
Good, Ugly!
I like the reverse though. But what does A PI mean? With a beast like that, you'd get a lot more than a single pie's worth.
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10045 Posts |
Cool coin! Interesting how intentionally ugly they made the Gorgon--and how it was chosen to grace their coins?  Athena had a Gorgon painted on her shield, so perhaps it has some protective qualities? |
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Valued Member
Canada
472 Posts |
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But what does A PI mean? It should read Î Î' / ΡΙ (first letter is quite worned out)... PA / RI [ON] Nice Gorgoneion  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1411 Posts |
@DVC
The Gorgon was supposed to scare away those who were unworthy, or those who were Foes.
So it did have protective qualities, but those protective qualities were protection based on aggression and fear.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4778 Posts |
Another great coin steve |
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
Thanks for explaining that for me, Dionysos => yes, you can barely see the worn "Î " above the bull's head ... Windchild => you are also correct about the gorgon being used as protection (I found this quote on wikipedia, so it must be true!!?) 
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Because of their legendary and powerful gaze that could turn one to stone, images of the Gorgons were put upon objects and buildings for protection. An image of a Gorgon holds the primary location at the pediment of the temple at Corfu, which is the oldest stone pediment in Greece, and is dated to c. 600 BC. |
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2624 Posts |
Good coin Steve... I have looked at a few of these but been unconvinced about authenticity (on flee bay) but if you got this from a good source/know enough to believe it authentic then its a cool coin gratz!
And BTW welcome back to the forum Steve, we missed you.
Now I am going on holiday so see you all after Christmas, have a good one!
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Pillar of the Community
3352 Posts |
Thanks D-UK ... => and yes, this coin was purchased from one of my "usual-guys" ... ummm, I couldn't find any reason to think that it was a fake, plus if it is found to be a fake, this dude has a life-time return policy where authenticity is concerned (oh, not that I've ever had to use this return policy) => Have yourself a great holiday season!!   |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1411 Posts |
@Steve I just finished an old University text on Greek Mythology... It's definantly correct |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5155 Posts |
Interesting coin... I don't have one but...but..I have a neat Thracian Imitation of one...does that count?
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Replies: 20 / Views: 3,925 |
Posted 12/10/2012 09:38 am
