Athena Coin Pendant

This coin, from the city of Side in southern Turkey, was minted around 190 B.C. Side was founded in the 7th century B.C. by settlers from Cyme, a city in Aeolis in western Turkey. Most of the extant coins of Side, from the 3rd C. B.C. onward show the goddess Athena in one or more of her aspects. Usually present on the obverse is Athena, the warrior goddess with the helmet and on the reverse, Nike or Victory. Winged Nike, in this instance, holds the wreath of victory and is beautifully modeled so that she appears to be flying. The pomegranate is there, as on many coins from Side, because the word Side means pomegranate in the language of Anatolia.

Pamphylia, Side. Silver tetradrachm. Circa 2nd-1st Century BC. Obverse: Head of Athena right in crested Corinthian helmet. Reverse: Nike advancing left, holding wreath. 22kt gold mounting featuring olive leaves.