Numismatic

Illyria, Apollonia AR Drachm (2nd-1st Cent. BC) VG NGC

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In the ancient Greek city of Apollonia, located in what is now Illyria, silver coins were minted that served as the lifeblood of regional commerce. This silver drachm, dating from the second to first century BC, offers a fascinating window into the artistic and economic life of the period. Measuring 18 millimeters in diameter and weighing 3.3 grams, the coin is a compact testament to ancient craftsmanship. The obverse of this silver piece depicts a tender scene from nature: a cow standing and facing right, turning her head back toward the calf she is nursing. This classic motif is paired on the reverse with a geometric double stellate pattern enclosed within a central square. Encircling this star-like design is the name of the local magistrate, a common practice used to guarantee the weight and purity of the silver in the ancient Greek world.