Thrace, Odessos

Greek Coinage

Thrace, Odessos

AE Unit, circa 3rd-2nd Century BC

Obverse:

Head of the Great God of Odessos right, laureate, with long beard and flowing hair. The Great God was the chief deity of Odessos, a syncretic god combining aspects of Zeus, Dionysus, and local Thracian deities.

Reverse:

[ΘΕΟΥ ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ] / ΟΔΗΣΙΤΩΝ

Horseman, wearing chlamys and conical cap, prancing right. Right hand raised in salute. Monogram below horse. Ethnic ΟΔΗΣΙΤΩΝ in exergue.

References: SNG BM Black Sea 297-306; SNG Stancomb 166; HGC 3.2, 1578

Specifications:

Weight: 8.70 grams

Diameter: 20 mm

Die Axis: 12h

Metal: Bronze

Condition:

Near Very Fine. Deep forest green patina with lighter highlights on high points. Obverse shows strong, sculptural portrait of the Great God with clear eye and beard details. Reverse well-centered. Horseman clear, ethnic ΟΔΗΣΙΤΩΝ legible despite some wear. Monogram visible below horse. Smooth surfaces with minimal roughness.

Note:

Odessos, modern Varna, Bulgaria, was a major Milesian colony on the west coast of the Black Sea. The Great God was unique to Odessos and appears on the city's coinage from the 4th to 1st centuries BC. This type is one of the most characteristic and popular coins of the city. The horseman likely represents a local hero or Thracian deity. Examples with full ethnic and clear patina are highly sought after.

Provenance:

From a private Florida collection.