{"product_id":"apollonia","title":"Greek Gorgon Coin with Pink Sapphire (480 - 450 BCE)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThrace - Apollonia, Greece · Circa 480-450 BCE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e14k Gold and Sapphire\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObverse: Gorgon (Madusa) Head with protruding tongue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReverse: Anchor with mint mark 'A'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003eThis is a rare Apollonia Pontika (modern Sozopol, Bulgaria) silver drachm from Thrace. Here the gorgon, presumably \u003cstrong\u003eMedusa\u003c\/strong\u003e, is portrayed as a hideous monster, with her face in rictus, tongue protruding - used as a popular device to \u003cstrong\u003eward off evil\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003eThe hideous triad; sisters Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, were said to have hair of writhing living serpents, venomous and terrifying, and whose gaze turned to stone any who beheld it. Two of the sisters, Stheno and Euryale, were immortal but Medusa was not. She was killed and beheaded by the hero \u003cstrong\u003ePerseus\u003c\/strong\u003e who used his polished shield as a mirror to protect himself from viewing her directly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003eThe anchor and the crayfish on the back attest to the city's reliance on maritime commerce for its economy.  The \u003cstrong\u003eanchor is one of the first anchors of modern desi\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egn rendered in Greek art, \u003c\/strong\u003emeant to protect sailors and travelers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003eArgentum (AR) silver coin \/ 14k gold\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003e2mm Peach-Pink Sapphire gemstone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003eApprox. 12 mm diameter \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003eNGC Certified:  6828916-011 (Ch VF)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003eFree Domestic Shipping\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003eArrives in satin pouch. gift box and polishing cloth \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003eChain not included\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch6 class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 105, 105);\"\u003eArtist-designed and created by \u003cb\u003eCynthia L. Green. T\u003c\/b\u003ehis piece is entirely one of a kind with collections crafted in small batches. Designed to be worn, collected, and passed down for generations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e","brand":"Ionia Jewelry","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48049803886849,"sku":null,"price":1892.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0787\/7918\/7457\/files\/DSC_6706_1.png?v=1779244145","url":"https:\/\/ioniajewelry.com\/products\/apollonia","provider":"Ionia Jewelry","version":"1.0","type":"link"}