Ancient Greek Bronze Octopus Coin Pendant

Obverse: Octopus
Reverse:  Head of Nymph
Date: c. 435 - 415 B.C.
Bezel: Sterling Silver
Weight:  2.64 grams
Diameter: 15 mm / .59 in

Description

This item is an authentic Greek Bronze coin depicting an octopus, placed in a handmade bezel of sterling silver. There is only 1 of this item; you will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos. 

History of the Artifact

Among the remarkable coinages of the ancient Greek world, the small bronzes of Sicily stand out for their imaginative designs, and one of the most distinctive features an octopus. Struck by coastal cities such as Syracuse or Leontini in the fifth century B.C., these coins typically depict the sea creature on the obverse, its curling tentacles spreading across the surface in a bold, almost abstract pattern. The choice of the octopus was not accidental—it reflected the maritime character of Sicilian life, the reliance on the sea for food and trade, and perhaps even local religious or symbolic associations. Though modest in size and value compared to the great silver issues of the island, these bronzes reveal how deeply seafaring culture was woven into the Sicilian identity.

Minted in local workshops and used in everyday transactions, these bronzes circulated among fishermen, traders, and market stalls rather than in the halls of empire. They speak to the vibrancy of life in Greek Sicily, where art and commerce merged even on the smallest scale. Today, their charm lies not in grandiosity but in the immediacy of their imagery: the octopus remains a vivid emblem of the sea that shaped the island’s destiny, and the coins themselves are sought out by collectors as tangible echoes of that maritime world.

Ancient Artifacts guarantees the Authenticity of items sold through a three layer system of protection: 

1. Ancient Artifacts exclusively sources artifacts from trusted and reputable antique distributors, many of whom have been selling Artifacts for decades.  
2. Next, the Artifact is inspected by an expert team member, who is professionally trained in counterfeit detection After the artifact passes inspection, the Certificate of Authenticity is signed and the Artifact is packaged. 
3. Finally, Ancient Artifacts gives an additional layer of protection by promising a full refund with no questions asked, in the extremely unlikely event that a counterfeit slips through our vetting process.

You will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos.

Owning a bronze litra minted in ancient Syracuse is relatively common among collectors due to the city's prominence as a major Greek cultural and economic center. Located on the island of Sicily, Syracuse was one of the wealthiest and most powerful Greek city-states in the Mediterranean. During the 5th and 4th centuries BCE, the city issued a variety of coins which served as smaller denominations for everyday transactions.

These coins were minted in significant quantities to support Syracuse's bustling economy and widespread trade networks. The durable bronze composition of these coins ensured their survival through centuries of circulation, burial, and eventual rediscovery.

Many bronze coins were preserved as part of coin hoards, buried by individuals for safekeeping during times of war or political upheaval. Others were recovered from archaeological excavations or passed down through generations of collectors. Today, they are readily available through numismatic auctions, dealers, and online marketplaces.