Thessaly. Thessalian League circa 150-50 BC. ΦΙΛΟΚ- (Philokrates) and ΕΠΙΚΡΑ- (Epikrates), magistrates
Stater AR

22 mm, 6,01 g

Laureate head of Zeus right / ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝ [Φ]ΙΛΟ[Κ] [ΕΠ]ΙΚ[ΡΑ], Athena Itonia advancing right, holding shield and preparing to hurl spear; in fields to inner right and left, two monograms.

Very Fine

BCD Thessaly II 871.2; BMC 31; HGC 4, 209.

Athena, revered as a goddess of wisdom and war, was central to Greek mythology and civic life. In Thessaly, her association with the city of Iton elevated her status to Athena Itonia, emphasizing her role as a protector and guardian. These coins, minted during periods of stability and prosperity, served not only as a means of trade but also as symbols of civic pride and divine patronage. The imagery of Athena Itonia wielding her shield and spear conveyed a message of strength and protection, instilling confidence in the city's inhabitants and reinforcing their connection to the divine. Variations in artistic style and design across different coin issues reflect the evolving cultural and political landscape of Thessaly. Each coin tells a story of the region's history, its religious traditions, and its aspirations for prosperity and security under the watchful gaze of Athena Itonia.