Apollonia Pontika, Thrace Drachm Replica | Gorgoneion Silver Coin

Why collectors buy this piece

• Inspired by the silver drachms of Apollonia Pontika, an important Greek colony on the Thracian Black Sea coast
• Features the dramatic facing gorgoneion, one of the most recognizable protective images in ancient Greek art
• Reverse shows the anchor and crayfish design, reflecting the city’s maritime identity and coastal trade connections
• Strong appeal for collectors of archaic Greek coinage, Black Sea civic issues, and Medusa / Gorgon imagery
• Compact silver type with bold visual character despite its small drachm denomination
• Faithfully reproduced using traditional hand-struck methods in sterling silver
• Each piece is intentionally individual in character, echoing the irregularity of ancient originals

Best suited for collectors seeking a compact archaic Greek silver type with strong symbolic imagery, Black Sea history, and the distinctive gorgoneion / anchor design of Apollonia Pontika.

Overview & Craftsmanship

This Apollonia Pontika drachm is a hand-struck sterling silver replica inspired by the historic silver coinage of the Greek city of Apollonia Pontika in Thrace. Dated to around 480–450 BC, the type is especially admired for its bold facing gorgoneion, a powerful protective image associated with the Gorgon or Medusa in ancient Greek art.

Each piece is individually struck by hand rather than cast, preserving the irregular flan, varied relief, and surface character associated with ancient silver coinage. Unlike machine-pressed copies, hand-struck replicas retain the depth, individuality, and visual character that make ancient-style coinage so distinctive.

Historical & Numismatic Background

• Apollonia Pontika was a Greek colony on the western Black Sea coast, in the region of Thrace, and became an important maritime city within the wider Black Sea Greek world.
• Its coinage reflects this coastal identity, especially through the anchor reverse, a direct symbol of seafaring trade and naval connection.
• The obverse gorgoneion, often understood as the head of Medusa or a Gorgon, was used in Greek art as an apotropaic image — a protective symbol believed to ward off evil.
• The frontal stare of the gorgoneion gives the coin a strong archaic character and makes the type immediately recognizable among early Greek silver issues.
• The crayfish beside the anchor adds a distinctive local maritime detail, strengthening the connection between the coin type and the city’s Black Sea environment.
• For collectors, this drachm type combines archaic Greek symbolism, civic identity, maritime imagery, and one of the most memorable designs in early Greek coinage.

Numismatic References:

This replica is inspired by ancient issues documented in standard numismatic references, including:

– SNG BM Black Sea 167

– SNG Copenhagen 459

Technical Details & Variations

Type: Apollonia Pontika, Thrace drachm replica

Denomination represented: AR Drachm

Authority / Mint: Apollonia Pontika, Thrace

Era represented: 480-450 BC

Material: Sterling silver (AR)

Weight: approx. 2-3 gr

Dimensions: approx. 16-17 mm

Manufacturing method: Hand-struck (hammered)

Obverse: Facing gorgoneion
Legend:
Anepigraphic

Reverse: Anchor; A and crayfish under each fluke
Legend:
Anepigraphic

Due to the traditional hand-striking process, variations in weight, diameter, strike, and surface are expected.

Intended Use

Suitable for:

– collectors of ancient and historical coinage

– academic or educational reference

– museum or exhibition display

– historically accurate reenactment

– high-quality numismatic gifts

Replica Disclaimer

This item is a hand-struck replica inspired by ancient coinage. It is not an original ancient coin.

Explore related Greek drachm and silver coin replicas:

• View Greek drachm & stater replicas
• See the Athenian Owl Classical Style tetradrachm replica
• View ancient Greek coin replicas