In the late fourth to early third century BC, amid the shifting alliances and hard-fought wars that would determine the destiny of southern Italy, the Greek city of Neapolis struck a series of silver nomoi whose beauty and symbolism remain among the most evocative of Magna Graecia. This coin preserves the identity of an independent Greek polis negotiating the rise of Roman power, preserving local myth, and asserting civic pride through images deeply rooted in Neapolitan memor

National Archaeological Museum of Naples. From Boscoreale, Villa of P. Fannius Synistor. Personifications of Macedonia (on the left) and Persia (or Asia, seated); or possibly a representation of the Macedonian ruler (see the circular shield with a star), or Antigonus Gonatas and his mother Phila. Public Domain image via Wikimedia Commons . According to Greek belief, Pan could cause irrational terror in humans and animals, especially when his midday rest was disturbed. His sud

I found this coin irresistible for its French revolution connection. Great Britain, temp. Hanover. Emsworth (Hampshire) Æ Half Penny Token (9.73g, 28mm, 6h), AD 1794 Obv: EARL HOWE & THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE., bust to left Rev: A MAP OF FRANCE 1794 around foot to left on map, surrounded by square border; FRANCE GLORY HONOR RE/LI/GI/ON. On the edge it reads "CURRENT EVERY WHERE". Ref: Dalton & Hamer 18. Historical hook.  This coin expresses the patriotic sentiment around

In 86 BCE Sulla broke Mithridates’ European offensive with back‑to‑back victories at Chaeronea and Orchomenus, achieved under acute supply constraints after the sack of Athens.  This cleared Greece of Pontic forces and opened the road to the 85 BCE peace at Dardanus.  As Mithridates’ general Archelaus leveraged Greek defections (notably Athens under Aristion), Sulla crossed into Greece, besieged and stormed Athens/Piraeus, and financed siege operations by stripping nearby san