HORSE AND RIDER GREEK COIN PENDANT

IN 14KY GOLD

400 - 350 B.C.

A beautifully detailed horse and rider gallop across the face of this ancient bronze Greek coin from the ancient Greek city of Maroneia, Thrace.  The horse was the city's mascot, depicted on some of their coins either prancing alone or with a young rider.   Unfortunately, the majority of these ancient coins did not survive in very good condition.  In most cases, the detail is barely discernable.  Not so with this stunning example, though!  The coin used here features very crisp art work of a horse with a rider in full gallop.  Most rare is the superb patina sea-green patina over the bronze, considered the most beautiful and valuable patina any ancient bronze coin could possess.  Framed in the 14K yellow gold setting makes for wonderful and rich contrast.

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.  

THOUSANDS OF COINS HAVE TO BE SORTED TO FIND ONE THIS NICE WITH SUCH DETAIL AND COLOR!  

Overall 21 mm in diameter.  

CPG009     SOLD

*if desired, add $195 for chain shown, a 16" 14KY gold round light wheat chain.

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