2nd Century B.C.E. Thasos Silver Tetradrachm Dionysus F–VF

Dionysus, God Of Wine, And Pleasure

This is a large silver coin from the classical world. It features Dionysus who was a mainstay of Greek mythology and the god of the grape harvest, wine, winemaking, and ritual madness & ecstasy. Dionysus’ portrait shows his intricately styled hair which has been adorned with grapes. These Tetradrachms are from 2nd Century Thasos. Lying close to the coast of the Eastern Macedonia, Thasos was an island inhabited from the Paleolithic period onwards, and was colonized at an early date by the Phoenicians, attracted by its gold mines. The island was also important in the wine trade and Thasian wine was quite famous in antiquity, which explains why the obverse of this type depicts the head of the wine god Dionysus.

The “Tyrian Heracles,” Savior of Thasos

Dionysus wasn’t the only deity held in high esteem by the Thasians; another god they worshiped was none other than Hercules. The famous god was introduced to the island through the Phoenicians, who originally colonized the island sometime around 650 B.C.E. Once there, the Phoenicians built a temple dedicated to the worship of Melqart, the Phoenician god of the underworld. As the Greeks moved in and the island became Hellenized, Melqart was gradually referred to as the “Tyrian Heracles” in accordance with the Greek practice of identifying foreign gods and linking them with their own gods. Within just a few centuries Hercules had replaced Melqart completely. Today the ancient temple area known as the Sanctuary of Hercules can be found on the north end of the island in an area within what is today the island’s largest city, Thasos. The reverse of this coin reflects that heritage with a depiction of Hercules wearing a lion’s skin, and an inscription that reads: “IRAKLEUS SOTIROS TASION,” which means “Hercules Savior of Thasos.”

Ancient Coins In Fine To Very Fine Condition

Each coin will arrive in Fine to Very Fine (F–VF) condition with only light-to-moderate wear. The coins will also come beautifully housed in a wooden presentation box and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. There’s no need to “wine,” secure yours now to avoid disappointment later!