What's better than one Gorgoneion? Well, two, of course. I've always admired the quirky, large cast bronze coins of Olbia, with their wide, relatively thin flans, depicting a Gorgoneion on the obverse, and a sea eagle clutching a dolphin on the reverse. I had an opportunity to acquire two of these coins recently, with very distinct treatments of the Gorgoneion: one with the tongue protruding, and the other without a protruding tongue. This coin had very small patches of bronze disease on the reverse. I've treated the coin very conservatively. I do not want to alter the patina, and so far so good, but I am monitoring it for any further evidence of BD. Black Sea Region, 400-380 BC Olbia Cast AE 36 Obverse: Facing Gorgoneion. Reverse: Sea eagle clutching a dolphin, O-Λ-B-I in field. Anokhin 184. SNG BM Black Sea 396-8 21.8 grams The second coin is more crudely cast, but still possesses good detail. Black Sea Region, 400-380 BC Olbia Cast AE 36 Obverse: Facing Gorgoneion, tongue protruding. Reverse: Sea eagle clutching a dolphin, O-Λ-B-I in field. SNG Stancom 346, SNG BMC Black Sea 396-399 18.1 grams
those are dandies!..( i thought they only came in pairs).... AR Greek Parion Mysia hemidrachms circa 450BC
@ancientcoinguru gave us a must-read writeup on the largest version of these & thrashed me in the Imperator final with it a couple years ago. I'd love to have one of the biggies but I should be more realistic and pick up one like yours - great coins! My favourite Gorgoneion: L. Plautius Plancus, AR denarius, issued c. 47 BCE
It's a Roman Republican L. Plautius Plancus AR Denarius from 47 BCE, with the facing head of Medusa on the obverse and, on the reverse, a winged Aurora flying right, holding a palm frond and conducting the four horses of the sun. The legend below should say PLANCVS.
My favourite and only Gorgoneion The myth of the gorgons is one of the most ancient in Greek mythology going back as the time of Homer. They were 3 visually unappealing sisters (Stheno, Euryale, and the infamous Medusa). The first two sisters were immortal but unfortunately for Medusa she was not, and the poor thing lost her head to Perseus. I always liked the protruding tongues on these... I wonder if this mocking gesture had a similar meaning back then.
Thanks! @DonnaML beat me to it (she has a lovely example) but I added the basic info below the photo anyway. Another interesting tidbit is that the reverse is thought to reproduce a 4th c. BCE painting by Nikomachos of Thebes, probably plundered by the moneyer's family. Plancus was proscribed and executed in 43 BCE. While I'm at it I might as well post my next favourite Medusa where she is depicted in a somewhat unhealthy state. I picked it for the clear Medusa face: Pontos, Amisos: Mithradates VI (105-65 BCE)
That is a nice face. This illustrates that it is next to impossible to get one of these with a really strong Medusa face AND the same level of Perseus and weapon all on the same coin. Some of us answer this question with having several coins. Add to that the fact that these were made in several cities and you see why this can get expensive/addictive/fun. Amisos - my first Amastros - my best Medusa face Sinope - my most broad flan
Nice, @robinjojo ... I have no Olbian cast Aes Grave... like yours. Pontic Kingdom, Amisos AE21, 6.95g; 85-65 BC Obv: Aegis with Gorgon head at center. Rev: Nike advancing right carrying palm branch. AMI-ΣOY in field with mongrams. Reference: SNG XI Stancomb 688. Ex: @John Anthony
