Famous Ancient Greek Coins

Introduction to Famous Ancient Greek Coins

Famous ancient Greek coins are invaluable relics that offer a glimpse into the rich cultural, artistic, and economic history of ancient Greece. These coins, often adorned with gods, mythical creatures, and city emblems, symbolize the remarkable craftsmanship and storytelling of their time.

Iconic Designs of Greek Coins

Some of the most famous ancient Greek coins include the Athenian Owl Tetradrachm, the Rhodos Tetradrachm, and the Syracuse Dekadrachm. These coins feature iconic designs such as Athena’s owl, the sun god Helios, and Arethusa surrounded by dolphins, reflecting their historical and regional significance.

Below is a consolidated and detailed list of the top 50 famous ancient Greek coins with their legends, mint years, and descriptions. This focuses on coins with inscribed legends, typically indicating the issuing city or ruler:

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1. Athenian Owl Tetradrachm it is one the top famous ancient Greek coins

Mint Year: Circa 450 BCE

Legend: ΑΘΕ (short for Athens in Greek)

Description: The obverse shows the head of Athena wearing a crested helmet. The reverse depicts an owl standing beside an olive branch and crescent moon, with the legend ΑΘΕ.

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2. Rhodos Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 304 BCE

Legend: ΡΟΔΙΟΝ (of the Rhodians)

Description: Helios, the sun god, is shown on the obverse, while a rose (a pun on the city’s name) and the legend ΡΟΔΙΟΝ adorn the reverse.

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3. Ephesus Drachm

Mint Year: Circa 295 BCE

Legend: ΕΦΕΣΙΩΝ (of the Ephesians)

Description: The obverse features a bee, symbolizing Artemis, while the reverse shows a stag and the inscription ΕΦΕΣΙΩΝ.

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4. Amphipolis Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 357 BCE

Legend: ΑΜΦΙΠΟΛΙΤΕΩΝ (of the Amphipolitans)

Description: Apollo’s head graces the obverse, while the reverse depicts a racing torch with the city’s name in Greek.

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5. Pergamon Cistophoric Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 190 BCE

Legend: ΠΕΡΓΑΜΗΝΩΝ (of Pergamon)

Description: The obverse displays the mystical, while a serpent-entwined bow case and the legend ΠΕΡΓΑΜΗΝΩΝ appear on the reverse.

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6. Syracuse Dekadrachm

Mint Year: Circa 400 BCE

Legend: ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ (of the Syracusians)

Description: The obverse showcases the nymph Arethusa surrounded by dolphins, while a quadriga (four-horse chariot) and ΣΥΡΑΚΟΣΙΩΝ adorn the reverse.

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7. Delphi Starter

Mint Year: Circa 338 BCE

Legend: ΔΑΛΦΟΙ (of the Delphians)

Description: The obverse features Apollo seated on the omphalos (navel stone). The reverse shows a tripod and the inscription ΔΑΛΦΟΙ.

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8. Thasos Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 146 BCE

Legend: ΘΑΣΙΩΝ (of the Thasians)

Description: Dionysus appears on the obverse, while a satyr holding a kantharos (wine cup) and ΘΑΣΙΩΝ are depicted on the reverse.

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9. Cyrene Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 325 BCE

Legend: ΚΥΡΑΝΑΙΩΝ (of the Cyrenians)

Description: Zeus Ammon’s head appears on the obverse, with a silphium plant and ΚΥΡΑΝΑΙΩΝ on the reverse.

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10. Knidos Drachm

Mint Year: Circa 350 BCE

Legend: ΚΝΙΔΙΩΝ (of the Knidians)

Description: The obverse features Aphrodite, while the reverse depicts a lion with the legend ΚΝΙΔΙΩΝ.

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11. Maroneia Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 400 BCE

Legend: ΜΑΡΩΝΙΤΩΝ (of the Maronites)

Description: Dionysus appears on the obverse, while the reverse shows a horse and vine with the inscription ΜΑΡΩΝΙΤΩΝ.

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12. Naxos Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 460 BCE

Legend: ΝΑΞΙΟΝ (of the Naxians)

Description: Dionysus with an ivy wreath is shown on the obverse, while the reverse depicts Silenus holding a kantharos and the legend ΝΑΞΙΟΝ.

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13. Zancle Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 480 BCE

Legend: ΖΑΓΚΛ (Zancle)

Description: The obverse shows a dolphin within a sickle-shaped harbor, while the reverse includes a lion’s head and ΖΑΓΚΛ.

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14. Taras Didrachm

Mint Year: Circa 280 BCE

Legend: ΤΑΡΑΣ (Taras)

Description: A youth riding a dolphin appears on the obverse, while a horse and the legend ΤΑΡΑΣ adorn the reverse.

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15. Leontini Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 430 BCE

Legend: ΛΕΟΝΤΙΝΩΝ (of the Leontinians)

Description: The obverse depicts a lion’s head, while the reverse shows four barley grains and ΛΕΟΝΤΙΝΩΝ.

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16. Argos Drachm

Mint Year: Circa 370 BCE

Legend: ΑΡΓΕΙΩΝ (of the Argives)

Description: The obverse features a wolf, while the reverse contains an incuse square and ΑΡΓΕΙΩΝ.

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17. Abydos Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 350 BCE

Legend: ΑΒΥΔΗΝΩΝ (of the Abydenians)

Description: Athena’s helmeted head graces the obverse, while the reverse shows a ship prow with the legend ΑΒΥΔΗΝΩΝ.

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18. Camarina Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 425 BCE

Legend: ΚΑΜΑΡΙΝΑΙΟΝ (of the Camarinaeans)

Description: The obverse displays a swan, while the reverse includes the river god Hipparis with ΚΑΜΑΡΙΝΑΙΟΝ.

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19. Byzantion Stater

Mint Year: Circa 340 BCE

Legend: ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΩΝ (of the Byzantines)

Description: The obverse depicts a bull standing left, symbolizing strength and fertility. The reverse shows an incuse square with a dolphin and the legend ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΩΝ.

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20. Chios Didrachm

Mint Year: Circa 400 BCE

Legend: ΧΙΩΝ (of the Chians)

Description: The obverse features a sphinx seated right, symbolizing wisdom, while the reverse includes a vine leaf and ΧΙΩΝ, representing the island’s famous wine production.

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21. Kos Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 400 BCE

Legend: ΚΩΙΩΝ (of the Koans)

Description: The obverse displays the head of Asklepios (god of healing), while the reverse features a coiled serpent and the inscription ΚΩΙΩΝ.

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22. Apollonia Pontica Drachm

Mint Year: Circa 450 BCE

Legend: ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΟΣ (of Apollo)

Description: The obverse shows an anchor and crayfish, while the reverse includes a gorgoneion (Medusa’s head) with the inscription ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΟΣ.

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23. Kyme Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 350 BCE

Legend: ΚΥΜΑΙΩΝ (of the Kymeans)

Description: The obverse features the head of the Amazon Kyme, the city’s founder, while the reverse shows a horse grazing and the legend ΚΥΜΑΙΩΝ.

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24. Phocaea Electrum Hekte

Mint Year: Circa 500 BCE

Legend: ΦΩΚΑΙΕΩΝ (of the Phocaeans)

Description: The obverse depicts a lion attacking a bull, symbolizing power, with the reverse showing an incuse square and ΦΩΚΑΙΕΩΝ.

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25. Gortyna Stater

Mint Year: Circa 300 BCE

Legend: ΓΟΡΤΥΝΙΩΝ (of the Gortynians)

Description: The obverse shows Europa seated on a bull (Zeus in disguise). The reverse includes a star and ΓΟΡΤΥΝΙΩΝ.

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26. Colophon Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 430 BCE

Legend: ΚΟΛΟΦΩΝΙΩΝ (of the Colophonians)

Description: Apollo holding a laurel branch appears on the obverse, while the reverse shows a lyre with the inscription ΚΟΛΟΦΩΝΙΩΝ.

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27. Miletus Didrachm

Mint Year: Circa 525 BCE

Legend: ΜΙΛΗΣΙΩΝ (of the Milesians)

Description: The obverse features a lion turning its head backward. The reverse contains a star and the legend ΜΙΛΗΣΙΩΝ.

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28. Sidon Shekel

Mint Year: Circa 350 BCE

Legend: ΣΙΔΩΝΙΩΝ (of the Sidonians)

Description: The obverse shows a war galley, while the reverse depicts the Persian king slaying a lion, with the inscription ΣΙΔΩΝΙΩΝ.

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29. Abydos Drachm

Mint Year: Circa 400 BCE

Legend: ΑΒΥΔΗΝΩΝ (of the Abydenians)

Description: The obverse displays a griffin seated left, symbolizing strength and guardianship. The reverse includes a trident and ΑΒΥΔΗΝΩΝ.

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30. Pantikapaion Gold Stater

Mint Year: Circa 350 BCE

Legend: ΠΑΝΤΙΚΑΠΑΙΟΥ (of the Pantikapaians)

Description: The obverse portrays the head of a bearded satyr, while the reverse features a griffin standing left with the inscription ΠΑΝΤΙΚΑΠΑΙΟΥ.

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31. Elis Stater

Mint Year: Circa 360 BCE

Legend: ΕΛΕΙΩΝ (of the Eleans)

Description: The obverse shows Zeus holding a thunderbolt, while the reverse includes a winged Nike (Victory) and the legend ΕΛΕΙΩΝ.

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32. Tarsos Stater

Mint Year: Circa 375 BCE

Legend: ΤΑΡΣΕΩΝ (of the Tarsians)

Description: The obverse depicts Baal enthroned, while the reverse features a lion attacking a bull and the inscription ΤΑΡΣΕΩΝ.

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33. Eretria Drachm

Mint Year: Circa 425 BCE

Legend: ΕΡΕΤΡΙΕΩΝ (of the Eretrians)

Description: The obverse portrays the head of a nymph, while the reverse includes an octopus and the legend ΕΡΕΤΡΙΕΩΝ.

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34. Kyrene Drachm

Mint Year: Circa 400 BCE

Legend: ΚΥΡΑΝΑΙΩΝ (of the Cyrenians)

Description: The obverse shows a silphium plant, a valuable export, while Zeus Ammon appears on the reverse with the inscription ΚΥΡΑΝΑΙΩΝ.

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35. Lampsakos Electrum Stater

Mint Year: Circa 370 BCE

Legend: ΛΑΜΨΑΚΗΝΩΝ (of the Lampsakenians)

Description: The obverse depicts a forepart of Pegasus, while the reverse includes a laurel wreath and the legend ΛΑΜΨΑΚΗΝΩΝ.

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36. Teos Drachm

Mint Year: Circa 480 BCE

Legend: ΤΗΙΩΝ (of the Teians)

Description: The obverse depicts a griffin seated left, representing strength, and the reverse shows an incuse square with the inscription ΤΗΙΩΝ.

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37. Parion Stater

Mint Year: Circa 500 BCE

Legend: ΠΑΡΙΟΝ (of the Parians)

Description: The obverse displays the Gorgoneion (Medusa’s head), while the reverse contains an incuse square and the inscription ΠΑΡΙΟΝ.

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38. Selge Stater

Mint Year: Circa 350 BCE

Legend: ΣΕΛΓΕΩΝ (of the Selgians)

Description: The obverse features two wrestlers grappling, symbolizing strength and competition, while the reverse shows a slinger and the legend ΣΕΛΓΕΩΝ.

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39. Antandros Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 400 BCE

Legend: ΑΝΤΑΝΔΡΙΩΝ (of the Antandrians)

Description: The obverse portrays the head of Apollo, while the reverse shows a griffin and the inscription ΑΝΤΑΝΔΡΙΩΝ.

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40. Myrina Drachm

Mint Year: Circa 200 BCE

Legend: ΜΥΡΙΝΑΙΩΝ (of the Myrinians)

Description: The obverse features the head of Apollo wearing a laurel wreath, while the reverse depicts a statue of Apollo and the legend ΜΥΡΙΝΑΙΩΝ.

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41. Iasos Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 350 BCE

Legend: ΙΑΣΙΩΝ (of the Iasians)

Description: The obverse depicts a bust of Zeus, while the reverse features a crab and the inscription ΙΑΣΙΩΝ.

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42. Himera Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 480 BCE

Legend: ΙΜΕΡΑΙΩΝ (of the Himerians)

Description: The obverse shows a satyr carrying a nymph, while the reverse displays a four-spoked wheel and the legend ΙΜΕΡΑΙΩΝ.

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43. Methymna Drachm

Mint Year: Circa 450 BCE

Legend: ΜΕΘΥΜΝΑΙΩΝ (of the Methymnians)

Description: The obverse features the head of a ram, while the reverse depicts a vine leaf and the inscription ΜΕΘΥΜΝΑΙΩΝ.

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44. Pergamon Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 300 BCE

Legend: ΠΕΡΓΑΜΗΝΩΝ (of the Pergamenians)

Description: The obverse portrays Athena wearing a Corinthian helmet, while the reverse includes a serpent-entwined bow case and ΠΕΡΓΑΜΗΝΩΝ.

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45. Aspendos Stater

Mint Year: Circa 370 BCE

Legend: ΕΣΤΦΕΔΙΙΥΣ (Pamphylian script for Aspendos)

Description: The obverse shows two wrestlers grappling, while the reverse depicts a slinger in action and the local script.

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46. Kyzikos Electrum Stater

Mint Year: Circa 500 BCE

Legend: ΚΥΖΙΚΙΝΩΝ (of the Kyzikans)

Description: The obverse displays a boar and a tunny fish below, symbolizing the city’s maritime importance, and the reverse contains a quadripartite incuse square with the inscription ΚΥΖΙΚΙΝΩΝ.

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47. Camarina Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 425 BCE

Legend: ΚΑΜΑΡΙΝΑΙΩΝ (of the Camerinians)

Description: The obverse portrays the nymph Camarina riding a swan over waves, while the reverse shows a quadriga and the legend ΚΑΜΑΡΙΝΑΙΩΝ.

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48. Lampsakos Stater

Mint Year: Circa 360 BCE

Legend: ΛΑΜΨΑΚΗΝΩΝ (of the Lampsakenians)

Description: The obverse features Pegasus flying left, while the reverse includes a laurel wreath and the inscription ΛΑΜΨΑΚΗΝΩΝ.

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49. Erythrae Tetradrachm

Mint Year: Circa 400 BCE

Legend: ΕΡΥΘΡΑΙΩΝ (of the Erythraeans)

Description: The obverse displays the head of Heracles wearing a lion-skin headdress, while the reverse shows a bull and the legend ΕΡΥΘΡΑΙΩΝ.

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50. Leukas Stater

Mint Year: Circa 350 BCE

Legend: ΛΕΥΚΑΔΙΩΝ (of the Leucadians)

Greek
Akarnania, Leukas AR Stater. Circa 375-350 BC. Pegasos flying left, Λ below / ΛΕΥΚΑΔΙΩΝ, helmeted head of Athena left.

Extremely Fine; light cabinet tone with attractive iridescence around the devices.

Very Rare, and by far the best preserved example shown so far.

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