Gallery of the Gods

Apollo (The healing god)

Time of Antiochos III (The Great) 223–187 BC. Syria under Macedonian rule.

A bold portrait showing little wear, reverse shows Apollo seated L.

Bronze coin with Copper & Silver Bezel. Approx. 28mm.

GRB001 — $347

Dionysos

Dionysos, known to the Romans as Bacchus and Liber, was the God of vegetation and the fruits of the trees. He was especially associated with the fruits of the vine. In ancient times his mysteries were celebrated all over the ancient world. It was an allegory of the cycle of death, burial, and resurrection.

The reverse of the piece shows Hercules holding a lion, skin, and club.

Silver coin with copper; silver bezel. Approx 38mm.

GRS002 — $967

Hercules

Macedonian Tetradrachm of Alexander the Great.

Alexander considered himself to be the last mortal son of Zeus and as such kindred with Hercules, the last mortal to become a god. The reverse of the piece shows Zeus, King of the Gods and father of the human race.

Silver coin with copper; silver bezel. Approx. 33mm.

GRS003 — SOLD

Kore, The Maiden

From the Greek city of Metapuntum (Lucania in Italy) Fourth century BC.

Kore, also known as Persephone, was the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. When she was carried off by Hades to the underworld, Demeter withheld fertility from the earth until such time that she could be reunited with her daughter. Hence we get the seasons of the year. The reverse shows an ear of Barley, indicative of the abundant grain production in that area. The piece is "Museum Quality" with hardly any wear showing on the high points.

Silver with copper bezel mounted on a silver seat. Approx. 39mm.

GRS004 — $839

Taras (The Dolphin Rider)

The piece is from the colony situated in Southern Italy founded by Sparta in the eighth century BC. and dates from the third century BC.

Taras was a son of the God Poseidon who suffered shipwreck but was nevertheless rescued from drowning by the Dolphin sent by the god. The small Owl seen at the right of Taras represents the Goddess Athena. The reverse shows a naked jockey riding a horse.

Silver coin with copper bezel on a silver seat fabricated as a choker.

GRS005 — SOLD

Tyche (Fortuna)

First century piece from the City of Aradus in Phoenicia.

Tyche was the goddess protection known to the Romans as Fortuna, the goddess of destinies. The vertical projections on her headdress represent the towers on the defensive walls of the city. The reverse shows a Nike or Victory. This is a "museum quality" piece with a bold deep strike and hardly any wear.

Silver coin with copper and silver bezel.

GRS006 — $677

Hercules and Athena

A piece from the time of Pyrrhos, enemy of Rome 278-276 BC.

This piece from the Island of Sicily shows the lion-clad head of Hercules facing left. Pyrrhos was a mercenary hired by some Greek colonies contending against the rising power of Rome. He won all his battles, but his losses were so heavy that he couldn't continue the war. From his name we get the term Pyrrhic Victory. The reverse shows Athena, the Warrior Goddess fighting with shield and spear.

Bronze with copper; silver bezel. Approx. 27mm.

GRB003 — $224

Isis

Egypt under the Ptolemys showing Cleopatra I, wife of Ptolemy V 204-180 BC. Cleopatra is portrayed as Isis, the most important female deity of ancient Egypt. Cleopatra I was the daughter of Antiochos III of Syria.

The reverse of the piece shows an Eagle, the companion of Zeus.

Bronze with copper bezel mounted on German silver. Approx. 35mm.

GRB004 — $757

Zeus

Middle Bronze from Sicily at the time of Hiketas 287-279 BC.

The Greek cities of Sicily produced some of the finest numismatic art of antiquity. This piece sports a beardless youthful head of Zeus, King of the Gods and Father of the human race. The artwork on the base metal coin-dies is equal to that of the silver and gold as they were executed by the same artists.

Bronze coin with copper; silver bezel. Approx. 27mm.

GRB005 — $337

Zeus Eleutherios (The Bringer of Freedom)

Hemilitron of Syracuse in Sicily from the time of Timoleon 344-336 BC.

Timoleon was a soldier of Corinth who established democracy on the Island of Sicily and also fought successfully against the power of Carthage. The reverse of this piece shows an Eagle standing to the right of a thunderbolt. The Eagle is the companion of Zeus, the thunderbolt his weapon.

Bronze coin with copper; silver bezel. Approx. 28mm.

GRB006 — $429

Victory

Roman Republican Denarius of L. VALERIVS FLACCVS 108-107 BC.

The winged figure of victory (or Nike in Greek) is where we get the concept of the Angel. The reverse shows Mars holding trophy next to a transfixed spear. Good clean strike on good metal and smooth surfaces.

Silver coin with copper bezel on silver seat. Approx. 26mm.

RRS004 — $389