MACEDON. Neapolis. Circa 500-480 BC. Stater (Silver, 20 mm, 9.46 g). Facing head of a Gorgon with protruding tongue. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. SNG ANS 400. SNG Ashmolean 2320. SNG Copenhagen 223. A clear and pleasing example, lightly toned. Nearly extremely fine.

From a European collection, formed prior to 2005.

The gorgon head on the obverse of this coin was apotropaic in nature: its glare was meant to keep harm away. The early coinage of Neapolis must have been struck in considerable numbers as a way of harnessing the wealth derived from the city’s nearby silver mines.