Ancient Greek Drachm, Larissa and Horse Grazing c350-300BC

Description

Denomination: Silver drachm

Period: Ancient Greek

Date: c350-300BCBC

Origin: Larissa, Thassaly

Condition: VF+/EF

Obverse: Three-quarter front facing slightly left portrait of Larissa

Reverse: ΛAΡIΣ-AIΩN above and beneath horse grazing right, left forefoot raised

Size and Weight: 19mm, 5.85g

References: BMC7 57-60, Sear 2120

Features and Provenance: 

Ancient Thessaly was a large area south of Mount Olympus, the capital being Larissa and now encompassed within modern Greece. It appeared in Homer’s Odyssey as Aeolia and is said to be the starting point for Jason and his Argonauts. This coin shows the Greek sub deity, the nymph Larissa who the capital city was names after. The artwork on these early Greek coins is exquisite, making this and its larger tetradrachm a much sought after coin by numismatists.

Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between

Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear

Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear, all parts of legend etc present, visible and clear

Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but maybe worn

Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible