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Gorgoneion Tetradrachm

Circa 510–507 BC　・　silver　・　6th century BC　・　Athens

Gorgoneion Tetradrachm（obverse）
ArchaiOptix / CC BY-SA 4.0（Wikimedia Commons）

A tetradrachm from circa 510–507 BC, weighing 16.80 grams. The obverse features a Gorgon's head, the reverse a lion's head and forepaw. The Gorgoneion series, which began around 525 BC, was Athens' first "fixed design" and is considered a possible candidate for the first Greek coin with designs on both sides. It is a large silver coin from the era just before the appearance of the owl design. This specimen has been pierced, attesting to its long use as an artifact after it was struck. It is in the collection of the British Museum.