Hemidrachm: Gorgoneion (Obverse); Bull (Reverse), c. 400-300 BC. Greece, Parion (Mysia). Silver; diameter: cm (1/2 in.). Like the coins of several other ancient cities, those of Parion feature the gorgoneion, or frontal face of Medusa, surrounded by serpents. On the reverse, a bull looks back across its body, with the letters ? ? between its legs. More centrally struck examples preserve two more letters above—? ?, to give ???? (PARI), identifying the mint of Parion. The name recalls that of the Cycladic island Paros, one of Parion’s colonizers (with Miletos and Erythrae).

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Photo credit: © CMA/BOT / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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