Stater from Abdera, Thrace, C. 346-336 BC The obverse: A griffin crouching and raising its forepaw; EΠI above, ΠAYΣANI[Ω] (for Pausanias, the magistrate) in exergue. The reverse: ABΔHPI-TEΩN around the laureate head of Apollo, all within shallow incuse square. Abdera (map) was located the Thracian mainland, opposite the island of Thasos, and derived great wealth from the nearby silver mines and trade between the Greeks and Odrysian Kingdom. Its symbol, the legendary griffin, was known as a guardian of great treasures. This magnificent silver stater depicts a powerful and majestic griffin in superb detail, including features derived from other animals – the beak, wings, and talons of an eagle, ears and neck of a horse, and the body of a lion. The young Apollo depicted on the reverse in similarly fine style recalls the gold coins of the nearby Macedonian Kingdom, which brought Abdera under its yoke in 350 BC.
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