How to Identify Ancient Greek Coins: Types, Symbols, and City-States
Ancient Greek coins are some of the most beautiful and expressive objects ever made in metal. Unlike Roman coins, which often focus on rulers and authority, Greek coins celebrate gods, myths, animals, and city identity.
If youโve found an ancient coin with no portrait, strange symbols, or powerful animals, thereโs a good chance itโs Greek.
This guide will show you how to identify ancient Greek coins step by step, even if youโre a complete beginner.
๐๏ธ What Makes a Coin โGreekโ?
Ancient Greek coins were struck roughly between 650 BC and 30 BC, long before the Roman Empire dominated the Mediterranean.
Typical Greek coin traits:
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No emperor portrait (especially early issues)
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Gods, animals, or symbols instead of rulers
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Greek letters or symbols
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Strong connection to a city-state, not an empire
Each city wanted its coins to be instantly recognizable โ almost like an ancient logo.
๐ Step 1: Look for a Portrait (or the Lack of One)
Most early Greek coins do not show real people.
Instead, youโll see:
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Gods (Athena, Zeus, Apollo)
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Mythical figures
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Animals linked to a city
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If the coin has no realistic human portrait, thatโs a strong Greek clue.
Later Greek coins do show rulers, but the style is usually idealized, not realistic like Roman portraits.
๐ฆ Step 2: Identify the Main Symbol
Greek coins are famous for bold, symbolic imagery.
Common Greek symbols include:
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Owl โ Athens (wisdom, Athena)
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Lion โ Strength, royalty, or Herakles
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Bull โ Power, fertility, city identity
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Pegasus โ Corinth
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Turtle โ Aegina
If the image feels mythological or symbolic, youโre almost certainly looking at a Greek coin.
๐ See more in Ancient Greek Coin Symbols Explained.
โ๏ธ Step 3: Check the Letters (Greek vs Latin)
Greek coins use Greek letters, which look very different from Latin.
Clues youโre seeing Greek:
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Letters like ฮ, ฮ, ฮ, ฮฉ, ฮฃ
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Short inscriptions or single letters
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City abbreviations instead of full names
Many early Greek coins have no legends at all, just images.
๐ Compare this with Roman coins in How to Identify Roman Coins.
๐ช Step 4: Examine the Reverse (Back of the Coin)
This is one of the most important Greek identification features.
Early Greek coins often have:
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A square punch (called an incuse)
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Rough or uneven reverse surfaces
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Simple geometric shapes
Later Greek coins have:
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Detailed second images
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Inscriptions naming the city
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Artistic balance between obverse and reverse
A square punch on the reverse is a huge Greek indicator.
๐ง Step 5: Consider the Metal and Weight
Greek coins were usually struck to specific weight standards.
Most common:
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Silver โ dominant metal
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Bronze โ later, smaller denominations
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Gold โ rare, often royal or special issues
Greek silver coins often feel:
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Thick
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Dense
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Heavier than expected for their size
๐บ๏ธ Step 6: Think in Terms of City-States
Greek coins were issued by cities, not emperors.
Examples:
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Athens
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Corinth
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Syracuse
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Aegina
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Miletus
Each city reused the same symbols for centuries. Once you recognize a symbol, you can often identify the city immediately.
Thatโs why Greek coin identification becomes easier over time.
๐จ Step 7: Recognize Greek Artistic Style
Greek coins are famous for:
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Naturalistic design
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Balanced composition
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Artistic beauty
If the coin looks like art first, money second, thatโs a strong Greek sign.
Roman coins prioritize messages.
Greek coins prioritize aesthetics and identity.
โ ๏ธ Step 8: Common Beginner Mistakes
Avoid these:
โ Assuming Greek coins must have text
โ Expecting perfect round shapes
โ Confusing gods for emperors
โ Cleaning silver coins aggressively
Greek coins are often irregular โ thatโs normal and authentic.
๐งช Step 9: Authenticity Basics
Fake Greek coins often:
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Look too sharp
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Have modern engraving style
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Use incorrect symbols together
Authentic Greek coins usually show:
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Wear in high points
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Slight strike irregularities
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Ancient surface texture
Always compare with multiple reference images, not just one.
๐ Continue Learning on NumisHaven
To build confidence:
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๐ Ancient Coin Identification Guide
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๐ How to Identify Roman Coins
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๐ Ancient Greek Coin Symbols Explained
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๐ Ancient Coin Legends Explained
๐ Final Thoughts
Identifying Greek coins is like learning a visual language. Once you recognize a few key symbols and styles, entire civilizations suddenly become familiar.
Greek coins donโt just tell you who ruled โ they tell you who a city believed it was.
And thatโs what makes them endlessly fascinating.