Nomos AG
obolos 19 8 May 2021
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CYCLADES, Mykonos. 3rd-1st century BC. Dichalkon (?) (Bronze, 16 mm, 2.43 g, 6 h). Head of bearded Dionysos to right, wearing ivy wreath. Rev. M-Y/K-O Grape bunch on vine; to left, barley grain. BMC 1-2. HGC 6, 616. Joy -. SNG Copenhagen 698. Rare. Corrosion, otherwise, nearly fine.
From the Perioikos Collection, Switzerland.
Like its southern neighbor Naxos, Mykonos was noted in antiquity for the high quality of its vintages. Thus it is logical that the god Dionysos and grapes play a prominent role on the coins from the island. In fact, the god appears on every coin type from Mykonos except one, which shows the goddess Demeter on the obverse. However, all coins from Mykonos - and without exception they are all very rare - also show either a barley grain (as here) or wheat stalks. These are attributes of the goddess Demeter Chloe, the epithet Chloe being a feminine name meaning "blooming" or "fertility." In Greek the word refers to the young, green foliage or shoots of plants in spring.
From the Perioikos Collection, Switzerland.
Like its southern neighbor Naxos, Mykonos was noted in antiquity for the high quality of its vintages. Thus it is logical that the god Dionysos and grapes play a prominent role on the coins from the island. In fact, the god appears on every coin type from Mykonos except one, which shows the goddess Demeter on the obverse. However, all coins from Mykonos - and without exception they are all very rare - also show either a barley grain (as here) or wheat stalks. These are attributes of the goddess Demeter Chloe, the epithet Chloe being a feminine name meaning "blooming" or "fertility." In Greek the word refers to the young, green foliage or shoots of plants in spring.