GREEK MARONEIA, THRACE COIN PENDANT

IN 14KY GOLD

400 - 350 B.C.

Maroneia was a farming and trade center founded at the foot of Mt. Ismaros on the southern coast of Thrace, about 30 miles east of Abdera, in the 7th century B.C. by colonists from the island of Chios.  The place was named for Maron, a legendary priest of Apollo, who features in the Odyssey as the bestower of gifts on Odysseus.  Maroneia was renowned for the excellent quality of its wine and vines feature prominently on its coinage.  Mythology relates that Odysseus got the Cyclops drunk on red wine from Ismaros.  The horse appears to have been the special emblem of the city though its precise significance is uncertain.  It reached its zenith in the 5th century B.C. and, together with Abdera and Aino, was considered the most prosperous city-state in Thrace.  Galloping across the face of this ancient Greek coin is the city's ancient mascot, a beautiful prancing horse.   

Detail on both sides is superb and the awesome sea-green patina over the bronze is considered the most beautiful and valuable patina any ancient bronze coin could possess.  Overall 21 mm in diameter.  

CP72     SOLD

350