Savoca Coins
Online Auction 209 | Silver 28 Apr 2024
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Mysia. Parion circa 200-10 BC.
Bronze Æ
22 mm, 5,21 g
Facing head of Medusa; c/ms: two monograms within incuse circles / ΠA-PI-ANΩN, eagle with spread wings standing right, monogram before; all within wreath.
Very Fine
SNG France 5, 1404; BMC Mysia, 69.
In Greek mythology, Medusa is one of the most famous and iconic figures, known as a Gorgon-a monstrous creature with snakes for hair and a petrifying gaze. She was once a beautiful mortal woman, but she incurred the wrath of the goddess Athena, who transformed her into a monster as punishment for desecrating Athena's temple. Medusa's most distinctive feature is her hair, which consists of venomous snakes that writhe and hiss. Anyone who looked directly into her eyes would be turned to stone, a fate that befell countless unfortunate souls. Medusa's head became a powerful symbol in ancient Greek culture, often used as a protective amulet or as a deterrent against evil forces. Her image was also employed as a decorative motif in architecture, pottery, and sculpture. In mythology, Medusa met her end at the hands of the hero Perseus, who was tasked with slaying her as one of his twelve labors. With the aid of various magical gifts from the gods-including a mirrored shield from Athena and winged sandals from Hermes-Perseus was able to defeat Medusa without looking directly at her. He used the reflection in the shield to guide his strike and decapitated her, thus avoiding her deadly gaze. After her death, Medusa's head retained its petrifying power, and Perseus used it as a weapon in subsequent adventures. He eventually gave the head to Athena, who placed it on her shield, the Aegis, where it served as a symbol of divine protection and power.
Bronze Æ
22 mm, 5,21 g
Facing head of Medusa; c/ms: two monograms within incuse circles / ΠA-PI-ANΩN, eagle with spread wings standing right, monogram before; all within wreath.
Very Fine
SNG France 5, 1404; BMC Mysia, 69.
In Greek mythology, Medusa is one of the most famous and iconic figures, known as a Gorgon-a monstrous creature with snakes for hair and a petrifying gaze. She was once a beautiful mortal woman, but she incurred the wrath of the goddess Athena, who transformed her into a monster as punishment for desecrating Athena's temple. Medusa's most distinctive feature is her hair, which consists of venomous snakes that writhe and hiss. Anyone who looked directly into her eyes would be turned to stone, a fate that befell countless unfortunate souls. Medusa's head became a powerful symbol in ancient Greek culture, often used as a protective amulet or as a deterrent against evil forces. Her image was also employed as a decorative motif in architecture, pottery, and sculpture. In mythology, Medusa met her end at the hands of the hero Perseus, who was tasked with slaying her as one of his twelve labors. With the aid of various magical gifts from the gods-including a mirrored shield from Athena and winged sandals from Hermes-Perseus was able to defeat Medusa without looking directly at her. He used the reflection in the shield to guide his strike and decapitated her, thus avoiding her deadly gaze. After her death, Medusa's head retained its petrifying power, and Perseus used it as a weapon in subsequent adventures. He eventually gave the head to Athena, who placed it on her shield, the Aegis, where it served as a symbol of divine protection and power.