Sikyon Stater ancient coin

Located in the northern part of the Peloponnesus, the city of Sikyon was known for its various industries, such as pottery, sculpture, and bronze work. It was also frequently involved in the conflicts of its neighbors, such as Thebes, Sparta, Corinth, Athens, and Theos. During the Peloponnesian War, it was the main mint of the anti-Athenian state governments. It issued a large number of coins, which were then melted down to finance their continued conquests.

The city of Sikyon was also known for its various industries, such as pottery, sculpture, and bronze work. It was the cradle of western art, as well as the location of some of the most prominent schools that produced great sculptors, such as Polykleitos and Lysippos.

In 334 BCE, Alexander the Great asked for the help of mercenaries from the Peloponnese. These individuals were reportedly paid out as a signing bonus, and they were supposedly buried in order to keep them safe. Unfortunately, many of these individuals never returned. This explains why many of these types of coins still exist today. The stater depicted a mythical creature known as a chimera, which is a fire-breathing monster that has the head of a goat and the tail of a snake. It was reportedly killed by Bellerophon with the help of Apollo. This type of coin also appeared on most of the city’s major coins.

The dove is depicted on the reverse, and it represents the city’s main emblem and spirit. In antiquity, it was believed that doves were good, peaceful, and kind animals. Romans and Greeks also believed that these animals represented devotion and love, and they were the sacred creatures of multiple goddesses. This coin’s iconography was a depiction of peace and war.