Why Did the Macedonian Kings Put Heracles' Club on Their Silver?
The Macedonian kings claimed direct descent from Heracles — and they stamped his club on every co...
Why Did an Ancient Greek City Put Two Faces on the Same Coin?
One face looks forward. The other turns away. Together they fill the obverse of one of the most u...
Why Did Ancient Greeks Put the Most Terrifying Face in Mythology on Their Coins?
The Gorgon's face filled the entire coin — staring out from every transaction, every treasury, ev...
Apollo, the Double Axe, and the Island That Watched the Trojan War
Tenedos was the small island where the Greek fleet hid before the fall of Troy — and its coins be...
Why Did a Macedonian King Put Athena on Every Coin He Minted?
After Alexander the Great died, his generals fought for his empire — and stamped their claims in ...
Two Myths, One Coin: Europa, the Minotaur, and the Coins of Ancient Knossos
On one side, Europa rides the bull across the sea. On the other, the Labyrinth traps the Minotaur...
The City Named After Lions: Leontinoi and Its Ancient Coin
Leontinoi literally means "city of lions" — and its ancient coins proved it. Discover the history...
Arethusa and Pegasus: The Most Beautiful Coin of the Ancient Greek World
Syracuse produced some of the most breathtaking coins in the ancient world. Discover the myth of ...
What Was the Griffin — And Why Did Two Ancient Greek Cities Choose It as Their Symbol?
The griffin — half lion, half eagle — was one of the most powerful symbols in the ancient world. ...
Why Did Ancient Greeks Pair a Mythical Monster With a Dove on the Same Coin?
On one side, a fearsome mythical monster. On the other, a dove of peace. Discover the history and...
