Æ10

Historical Context: This Æ10 coin was issued by Larissa Phrikonis between 400 and 300 BC. Larissa was a dominant city-state in Thessaly, renowned for its fertile plains and exceptional horse breeding. The epithet "Phrikonis" likely refers to a specific magistrate or a local cult, distinguishing this issue. This period encompasses the late Classical and early Hellenistic eras, a time of significant political upheaval and the rise of Macedonian power, during which bronze coinage played a crucial role in local economies for daily transactions.

Artistry: While the specific engraver remains anonymous, typical for bronze issues of this period, the coin would have adhered to the prevailing Classical Greek artistic conventions. Designs from Larissa frequently featured the eponymous nymph Larissa, often depicted with a flowing coiffure, or a horse, symbolizing the region's famed cavalry and agricultural prosperity. The style would have been naturalistic and idealized, characteristic of 4th-century BC Greek numismatic art, even on smaller bronze denominations.

Technical/Grading: Weighing 1.0 gram and measuring 10.0 millimeters, this Æ10 represents a diminutive denomination intended for small-scale commerce. Key high-points, depending on the specific design, would typically include the hair details of a head or the musculature and mane of a horse. A well-struck example would exhibit a relatively centered design, full rendering of the intended iconography, and a consistent, attractive patina. Flan irregularities are common for bronze issues of this size and period.