LUCANIA, Heraclea. Circa 390-340 BC Sterling silver 0.944inch - 24mm Ancient Greek coin

Head of Athena right, wearing pearl necklace, and crested Attic helmet decorated with Scylla hurling a stone. Herakles standing wrestling with the Nemean Lion between Herakles' legs, owl standing.

Heraclea, also Heraclea or Herakleia (Ancient Greek: Ἡράκλεια), was an ancient city of Magna Graecia. It was situated on the Gulf of Taranto between the rivers Aciris (modern Agri) and Siris (modern Sinni). The ruins of the city are located in the modern commune of Policoro in the Province of Matera, Basilicata, Italy. Athena or Minerva her syncretic incarnation in Roman mythology the virgin goddess of wisdom, war, strength, crafts, justice and skill. The Nemean Lion was a large lion whose hide was impervious to weapons it plagued the district of Nemea in the Argolis. King Eurystheus commanded Herakles (Heracles-Hercules) to destroy the beast as the first of his twelve Labors. The hero cornered the lion in its cave and seizing it by the neck wrestled it to death. He then skinned its hide to make a lion-skin cape, one of his most distinctive attributes. Hera afterwards placed the lion amongst the stars as the constellation Leo.

The imprecise process of manufacturing coins in the Greek world has been a valuable asset to archaeologists. Greek coins of particular poleis or city-states often carried specific designs which were used for centuries, becoming instantly recognizable symbols of that city. Gods and figures from Greek mythology were especially popular.

Filled with symbols and meanings, ancient Greek coins are some of the first coins ever minted, and feature legendary Gods, Heroes, classical art, and unique, subtle details that celebrate the civilization that still impacts us every day. Browse our collection of Ancient Greek coin jewelry and meet Alexander the Great, Athena and her Owl of Wisdom, Hercules and the Lion, the Boy on the Dolphin, Zeus, Helios and more. Ancient Art Greek jewelry direct from our workshop in Athens

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

Our products are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity stating that they are original

Gods & Heroes products, handmade and ensuring the best quality.

We ship for FREE with the National Greek Post Office.

This is not an ancient coin it is a copy