Thracian Lion Hemidrachm (about 2400-2350 years ago)
This silver hemidrachm comes from the ancient Greek colony of Cherronesos (or Chersonesos) on the Thracian peninsula, an important trading settlement controlling access to the Black Sea.
Coin Description:
Front side: The forepart (front half) of a lion facing right with its head turned backward (reverted)
Back side: Quadripartite incuse square with alternating raised and sunken quarters; in two of the sunken quarters there is an "AF" monogram positioned above a pellet, and a bee
Technical Details:
Silver composition
Hemidrachm denomination (half a drachm)
Weight: 2.41 grams
References: Weber-2409, 2428 variant; McClean-4090 correction (bee); SNG Copenhagen-832 variant
Date/period: 400-350 BCE
Historical Significance:
This coin was minted during the late Classical period of Greek history, when the Thracian Chersonese (modern Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey) was a strategically vital region. The peninsula controlled maritime traffic between the Aegean and Black Seas through the Hellespont (now called the Dardanelles). The lion was a popular motif on Greek coinage, symbolizing strength and power, while the bee might represent the colony's agricultural prosperity or connection to religious cults. This coin reflects the city's economic importance during a time when Athens, Sparta, and later Macedon competed for influence in the region.
This silver hemidrachm comes from the ancient Greek colony of Cherronesos (or Chersonesos) on the Thracian peninsula, an important trading settlement controlling access to the Black Sea.
Coin Description:
Front side: The forepart (front half) of a lion facing right with its head turned backward (reverted)
Back side: Quadripartite incuse square with alternating raised and sunken quarters; in two of the sunken quarters there is an "AF" monogram positioned above a pellet, and a bee
Technical Details:
Silver composition
Hemidrachm denomination (half a drachm)
Weight: 2.41 grams
References: Weber-2409, 2428 variant; McClean-4090 correction (bee); SNG Copenhagen-832 variant
Date/period: 400-350 BCE
Historical Significance:
This coin was minted during the late Classical period of Greek history, when the Thracian Chersonese (modern Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey) was a strategically vital region. The peninsula controlled maritime traffic between the Aegean and Black Seas through the Hellespont (now called the Dardanelles). The lion was a popular motif on Greek coinage, symbolizing strength and power, while the bee might represent the colony's agricultural prosperity or connection to religious cults. This coin reflects the city's economic importance during a time when Athens, Sparta, and later Macedon competed for influence in the region.
This silver hemidrachm comes from the ancient Greek colony of Cherronesos (or Chersonesos) on the Thracian peninsula, an important trading settlement controlling access to the Black Sea.
Coin Description:
Front side: The forepart (front half) of a lion facing right with its head turned backward (reverted)
Back side: Quadripartite incuse square with alternating raised and sunken quarters; in two of the sunken quarters there is an "AF" monogram positioned above a pellet, and a bee
Technical Details:
Silver composition
Hemidrachm denomination (half a drachm)
Weight: 2.41 grams
References: Weber-2409, 2428 variant; McClean-4090 correction (bee); SNG Copenhagen-832 variant
Date/period: 400-350 BCE
Historical Significance:
This coin was minted during the late Classical period of Greek history, when the Thracian Chersonese (modern Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey) was a strategically vital region. The peninsula controlled maritime traffic between the Aegean and Black Seas through the Hellespont (now called the Dardanelles). The lion was a popular motif on Greek coinage, symbolizing strength and power, while the bee might represent the colony's agricultural prosperity or connection to religious cults. This coin reflects the city's economic importance during a time when Athens, Sparta, and later Macedon competed for influence in the region.
