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Because...Gryphon...
JCMhouston
Posts: 5,306 ✭✭✭
I guess that's the only reason I can come up with for buying this one, but it's a good enough reason for me!
THRACE. Abdera. Ca. 411-385 BC. AR tetrobol (2.87 gm). By Protes. Griffin reclining left / Three grain ears standing within linear square in square incuse. SNG Copenhagen 341. May 356-357. Lightly toned. NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 4/5.
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon (Greek: γρύφων, grýphōn, or γρύπων, grýpōn, early form γρύψ, grýps; Latin: gryphus) is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; and an eagle's talons as its front feet. Because the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of birds, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. The griffin was also thought of as king of all creatures. Griffins are known for guarding treasure and priceless possessions.
I prefer the spelling gryphon rather than griffen, it just seems to fit the creature better. Gryphons show up in Persian and Egyptian art as long ago as 3300 BC, so they have a long history.
THRACE. Abdera. Ca. 411-385 BC. AR tetrobol (2.87 gm). By Protes. Griffin reclining left / Three grain ears standing within linear square in square incuse. SNG Copenhagen 341. May 356-357. Lightly toned. NGC Choice XF 4/5 - 4/5.
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon (Greek: γρύφων, grýphōn, or γρύπων, grýpōn, early form γρύψ, grýps; Latin: gryphus) is a legendary creature with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; and an eagle's talons as its front feet. Because the lion was traditionally considered the king of the beasts and the eagle the king of birds, the griffin was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature. The griffin was also thought of as king of all creatures. Griffins are known for guarding treasure and priceless possessions.
I prefer the spelling gryphon rather than griffen, it just seems to fit the creature better. Gryphons show up in Persian and Egyptian art as long ago as 3300 BC, so they have a long history.
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what does "By Protes." mean?
Here is more on The Gryphon In Heraldry - LINK
Taler Custom Set
Ancient Custom Set
According to legend, Abdera was founded by Heracles on behalf of his fallen friend Abderus. Abdera saw its height of prosperity soon after 544 BC, when the majority of the people of Teos (including the poet Anacreon) migrated to Abdera to escape the Persian yoke (Herodotus i.168). The chief coin type, a griffin, is identical with that of Teos; the rich silver coinage is noted for the beauty and variety of its reverse types.
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<< <i>Protes was the magistrate the coins were issued by.
According to legend, Abdera was founded by Heracles on behalf of his fallen friend Abderus. Abdera saw its height of prosperity soon after 544 BC, when the majority of the people of Teos (including the poet Anacreon) migrated to Abdera to escape the Persian yoke (Herodotus i.168). The chief coin type, a griffin, is identical with that of Teos; the rich silver coinage is noted for the beauty and variety of its reverse types. >>
interesting, I was wondering what those letters on the back were as it didn't seem to be "of the Abderans"
I also really like those grains of wheat on the reverse of that, for some reason.
Just a neat design, and a nicely preserved coin with a good strike and centering.
Well done.