Dionysus Tetradrachm Pendant with Pearl (148 - 90 BCE)

Obverse: Dionysus
Reverse:  Heracles

Circa 148 - 90 BCE  

Large authentic silver tetradrachm from the Thracian Islands of Thasos/Greece minted in the 2nd to 1st c BCE.

During the 1st century, the cult of Dionysus on the North Aegean island of Thasos (historically grouped with the Thracian Islands) represents an era where deeply rooted local mythology intersected with regional economic power. Dionysus was one of the island's supreme patron deities alongside Heracles.

On this coin, Dionysus has curly locks and is wearing an Ivy crown with flowers, heart-shaped leaves and a traditional 'mitra' cloth headband. The reverse features Heracles Soter (Heracles the Savior) standing with a club and a lion skin.

These specific coins were heavily minted starting from roughly 148 BC down through 90/80 BCE and later. Because Thasos was famous across the ancient world for its exquisite Thasian wine, these coins acted as a global currency. They were so popular in the Balkans and mainland Thrace that local Thracian and Celtic tribes spent decades creating their own artistic "barbarous imitations" of the Thasian Dionysus coin.

• 16.5g Argentum (AR) silver coin - 31mm diameter  
• 14k gold bezel-set with natural pearl charm and bail

NGC Certified Authentic — 3599045-068 CHVF 

• Certificate of Authenticity Provided
• Chain not included

Not produced - hand crafted by Cynthia Green one-at-a-time

See my Ancient Coin Jewelry Guide to learn more about ancient coins!

Enjoy!

AR30