Ionic Column Ring

The Greek city of Miletus was one of the most prosperous cities on the western coast of what is now the country of Turkey. The coinage from the 4th C. B.C. on to Roman times featured the laureate head of Apollo, god of the sun on the obverse and a standing lion who looks over his shoulder at a star on the reverse.There was a large temple to Apollo in the city, but no remembered local legends that reveal the significance of the lion and star.

Ionia, Miletus, Silver Drachm, 350 to 340 B.C. Obverse: Laureate Head of Apollo, Reverse: Lion looking back at a star (facing). 18kt mounting designed by Valerie Jean Fairchild.