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Hemidrachm: Gorgoneion (obverse); Bull (reverse)
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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 Ρ Ι between its legs. More centrally struck examples preserve two more letters above—Π Α, to give ΠΑΡΙ (PARI), identifying the mint of Parion. The name recalls that of the Cycladic island Paros, one of Parion’s colonizers (with Miletos and Erythrae).
| Artist / Maker | Greek, minted at Parion (Mysia) |
|---|---|
| Date | c. 400 BCE |
| Culture / Origin | Greek, minted at Parion (Mysia) |
| Medium | silver |
| Dimensions | Diameter: 1.3 cm (1/2 in.) |
| Department | Greek and Roman Art |
| Type | Coins |
About the Artist
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
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