Greek Nymph Coin Pendant

Coin: Silver Drachm
Obverse: Nymph Larissa
Reverse:  Horse Grazing
Date: c. 405-370 B.C.
Bezel: 14k Gold
Weight:  8.11 grams
Diameter: 23 mm / .90 inches

Description

This item is an authentic greek silver drachm coin, placed in a handmade bezel of 14 karat gold. There is only 1 of this item; you will receive the exact pendant shown in the photos.  

Chain necklaces can be purchased separately through this link.

History of the Artifact

This silver drachm was struck between c. 405 and 370 B.C. in the ancient Thessalian city of Larissa, located in the fertile plains of north-central Greece. The obverse features the graceful head of the nymph Larissa, shown in three-quarter facing portrait — a style that reflects the sophisticated influence of Classical Athenian art. The nymph was considered the tutelary spirit of the city, her name tied to the very identity of Larissa itself. Her portrayal here is soft and fluid, with finely arranged hair and a serene expression, embodying both divine beauty and the gentle vitality of the local springs and rivers believed to be under her protection.

The reverse depicts a horse grazing, head lowered, in a scene of natural calm. Thessaly was renowned throughout the Greek world for its wide plains and exceptional horse-breeding traditions, and the horse became the region’s most recognizable civic emblem. The peaceful posture of the animal highlights not warlike strength but harmony with the land — a subtle celebration of agricultural abundance and the deep equestrian culture that defined Thessalian identity.

Like many Thessalian drachms of this era, the coin stands as a miniature masterpiece of Classical engraving, balancing mythic symbolism with refined stylistic realism. Circulating widely across central Greece, these silver issues were both practical currency and a statement of local pride, linking Larissa’s divine patron with the region’s enduring pastoral character.

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.

Ancient Greek silver coins come from hundreds of independent city-states that flourished across the Mediterranean and Near East from the 6th to the 2nd centuries B.C. Each city minted its own distinct coinage, often bearing symbols of its patron gods, heroes, or local myths. The silver used for these coins was typically sourced from rich mining regions such as Laurion in Attica, Mount Pangaion in Thrace, and later from Macedonian and Anatolian deposits under Alexander the Great and his successors. These mines produced vast quantities of high-quality silver that fueled trade, warfare, and artistic innovation throughout the Greek world.

Many of the coins known today come from ancient hoards buried during times of conflict, invasion, or political upheaval. They have been unearthed across Greece, Asia Minor, the Balkans, and the wider Hellenistic world, often found together with gold staters or bronze issues. Because silver is highly durable and resists corrosion, these coins frequently survive in excellent condition even after more than two millennia underground. Modern examples come from reputable dealers, numismatic auctions, and museum collections, each coin serving as a small, enduring artifact of Greek culture — a direct link to the art, mythology, and economy of the ancient world.