Macedon – Thessalonica (Thessalonike)
Bronze Coin – Artemis Portrait and Quiver Type
c. 187–31 BC
A charming bronze issue from Thessalonica (Thessalonike) in ancient Macedon, dating to the period after Macedon came under Roman influence but before the establishment of the Roman provincial system. The coin belongs to a long tradition of Hellenistic civic coinage produced by the important city of Thessalonica, a major commercial center in northern Greece.
The obverse features the diademed head of Artemis right, the Greek goddess of the hunt, with her characteristic association with the bow and quiver. The reverse depicts a quiver of arrows, accompanied by the civic legend and symbols identifying the issuing authority of Thessalonica.
Artemis was a popular figure on Greek coinage, representing themes of protection, wilderness, and divine power. The continued use of her imagery on Macedonian bronze coins reflects the persistence of traditional Greek religious iconography during the Hellenistic and early Roman periods.
This compact bronze denomination would have circulated locally in the markets of Macedonia, serving everyday transactions while carrying the artistic and cultural identity of one of the ancient world's most important regions.
Region: Macedon
City: Thessalonica (Thessalonike)
Date: c. 187–31 BC
Denomination: Bronze coin
Type: Artemis portrait / quiver of arrows
Metal: Bronze
Weight: 4.10 grams
Diameter: 14–15 mm
A pleasing ancient Macedonian bronze coin featuring the celebrated imagery of Artemis and offering a direct connection to the Hellenistic heritage of Thessalonica.
