Apollonia Pontika - New Gorgon - Coin Community Forum

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 3,155
Finn235 Pillar of the Community United States 6130 Posts	Posted 01/13/2019 2:01 pm Picked this one up for pretty cheap from Savoca: Apollonia, Pontika AR Hemidrachm C. 450-400 BC Obv: Gorgon head surrounded by snakes Rev: Upright anchor, crayfish and A within Gorgons were especially popular motifs for early Greek coinage, as superstition held that the Aegis (Medusa's head mounted to a shield) would ward off the Evil Eye among other calamities. This is an early representation, showing the gorgon as a primitive monster; over time she morphed into a figure of beguiling and dangerous beauty. Report this Post to the Staff

orfew Pillar of the Community Canada 1269 Posts	Posted 01/13/2019 2:46 pm Great face and very nice centering on the obverse. Report this Post to the Staff
Kamnaskires Pillar of the Community United States 7066 Posts	Posted 01/13/2019 2:54 pm Nice one. Keeper or flipper? Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 01/13/2019 4:50 pm What a great face of Gorgon, super coin, Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34428 Posts	Posted 01/13/2019 5:08 pm I especially like that the individual snakes for her hair are still visible--with open mouths. Nice pick-up! "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
Finn235 Pillar of the Community United States 6130 Posts	Posted 01/13/2019 9:40 pm Thanks all! This was indeed an individual purchase for my collection, albeit an unplanned one! I put in a handful of bids in Savoca's blue auction, and won a couple. This was one of their few Greek coins that wasn't junk in that auction - usually the good stuff goes in Silver auctions. Report this Post to the Staff
Finn235 Pillar of the Community United States 6130 Posts	Posted 03/04/2019 10:21 am Just added another from a CNG lot, sadly which I won't be able to keep This is a slightly more archaic drachm, about 13mm and 3.29g. Medusa here has fangs, and the reverse is missing the A. And just look at the detail on that crayfish! Sadly, the snakes are not fully on flan for this one, which IMO still makes the OP coin the more desirable example. Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 3,155

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