Own Three Coins Inspired by the Legends of the Ancient Greek World

Three authentic ancient coins from Ionia, Sicily, and Illyria—each featuring iconic imagery drawn from Greek mythology, religion, and civic identity. More than simple currency, these coins proclaimed the stories, beliefs, and heritage of the cities that struck them more than 2,000 years ago.

$264.01

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🦅 The Griffin of Teos — the legendary guardian with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, symbolizing divine protection and one of the most recognizable creatures in Greek mythology.

🐬 The Dolphins of Syracuse — graceful symbols of the sea surrounding the nymph Arethusa, celebrating Syracuse's maritime power and close relationship with the Mediterranean.

🐄 The Cow and Calf of Apollonia — one of the most enduring civic emblems of the ancient Greek world, representing prosperity, fertility, and the city's colonial heritage.

Own This Piece of History

Why This Collection Matters

In the ancient Greek world, mythology, religion, and civic identity were inseparable.

When a city selected the design for its coinage, it wasn't merely decorating its money. It was announcing who it was, what it valued, and how it wished to be recognized throughout the Mediterranean.

Each of these three coins tells that story in a different way.

The griffin of Teos, struck by the Ionian city on the Aegean coast of modern Turkey, served as the city's civic emblem for centuries. Combining the strength of a lion with the majesty of an eagle, the griffin was associated with divine guardianship and the protection of sacred places and treasures. Few mythological creatures became more closely identified with a Greek city.

The dolphins of Syracuse celebrate one of the greatest maritime powers of the ancient Greek world. On Syracuse's famous coinage, dolphins surround the head of the nymph Arethusa, the city's patron. Together they symbolize Syracuse's intimate relationship with the sea—the source of its wealth, commerce, and military power.

The cow and calf of Apollonia became one of the city's enduring civic symbols. Founded as a Corinthian colony on the Adriatic coast, Apollonia adopted this distinctive design to represent the prosperity and agricultural wealth of the surrounding region while reflecting artistic traditions shared with other Greek colonies. Although sometimes linked to Greek mythology in modern interpretations, the coin's primary significance is as the city's long-standing civic emblem.

Struck in silver and bronze across three regions—Ionia, Sicily, and Illyria—these coins circulated as everyday currency while also serving as portable expressions of local identity, religion, and artistic tradition.

Together they demonstrate how the ancient Greeks transformed ordinary money into miniature works of art that celebrated the legends, beliefs, and civic pride of their communities.

Perfect For

• Collectors of Greek mythology and thematic ancient coin collections.
• History lovers fascinated by Greek religion, civic identity, and Mediterranean culture.
• Collectors of iconic Greek coin types from Teos, Syracuse, and Apollonia.
• Anyone seeking a meaningful and visually striking gift rooted in the ancient world.

What You'll Receive

• Three authentic ancient Greek coins
• Griffin of Teos — Ionian silver featuring one of Greek mythology's most iconic legendary creatures.
• Dolphins of Syracuse — Sicilian coinage celebrating Arethusa and Syracuse's maritime heritage.
• Cow and Calf of Apollonia — Illyrian coinage featuring one of the Greek world's most recognizable civic emblems.
• Similar to the examples shown. Each ancient coin is unique.

Buy with Confidence

• Guaranteed authentic ancient coins.
• Carefully sourced and verified.
• 30-day return policy.
• Secure shipping from the U.S.

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