• Denomination: Drachm
• Date: 350 - 180 BC
• Issuing Authority: Miletos, Ionia, Ancient Greek City-State
• Obverse (Front):Bust of Apollo, Greek god of music and dance, truth and prophecy, healing and light, and the sun
• Reverse (Back): Standing Lion with the Star of Apollo
• Coin Metal: Silver
• Bezel Metal: 14K White Gold
• Articulating Bail Interior Diameter: Will accommodate chain or leather necklace up to 6.2 mm
• Pendant Size Including the Bezel (Setting): 3/4” Across, 1 1/4” Tall - Just Slightly Smaller than the Size of a U.S. Nickel

April's Notes: Ancient Greek coins are deeply struck - with thickness and depth that highlights detail, and this coin's details pop from the surface. (Please note: these coins are difficult to photograph and capture the true depth and detail... we often hear "wow, it looks so much better in hand!") 

Thick, round and deeply struck, the stunning details of the lion and star "pop" from the coin. The portrait of Apollo is equally appealing, with amazing detail and a stunning profile. Just an all-around wonderful example of this rare coin.

Perhaps best of all, it is what we call "zero die axis." When most ancient coins were struck, the minters didn't care if the top of one side of the coin was also the top on the other side - what we call "Medallic Orientation." This coin is one of the rare ones you can wear it either side out.

The Lion of Miletos

Like other advanced Greek city-states that developed during Greece’s Archaic period  Miletos was one of the very first cities in the world to mint coins. From the minting of the earliest Miletos coinage we see the lion appear as a proud symbol of the city. The lion was not only the embodiment of the spirit of Miletos, the city itself resembled a lion. Built on that promontory that extended into the bay, the border of the city resembled the silhouette of a crouching lion.

The mighty lion – the symbol of stately power and wealth – was a chief symbol employed by these early artisans who appreciated not only the meaning of the symbol, but the lion’s grandeur and beauty. But the lion wasn’t the only symbol chosen for Miletos Drachms.

Apollo, God of Music and Dance, Truth and Prophecy, Healing and Light… and the Sun

Turn them over and you will see Apollo, the Greek god of music and dance, truth and prophecy, healing and light… and the sun. In fact, the lion you see proudly standing on Miletos Drachms is looking over his shoulder to a star, another representation of Apollo.

Just 10 miles south of the Miletos of old was the famed temple of Apollo at Didyma. This temple drew visitors from all over the Greek world, bring trade and notoriety to Miletos and its colonies. Miletos was positioned at the start of the Sacred Way leading to Apollo’s temple. Here on the silver coins of Miletos, Apollo is immortalized – and called upon to protect and grant prosperity to the city.

Like other powerful and prominent Greek city-states, Miletos minted its own iconic Drachms for hundreds of years. Each one is a shining ambassador of a once vibrant, influential, and commanding center of trade, culture and science that whispers from the past. These few, precious pieces of silver witnessed history that helped build the Western world you and I live in today. Now, they continue their millennia-long journey with you as a piece of history you can wear every day.

Your Ancient Greek Coin Necklace comes with: