Name/Title
BCE 0196 - 0146 Thessaly. Magnetes Æ19 / CentaurDescription
Magnetes (Thessaly)
Bronze Æ (~19 mm)
Late Hellenistic period, ca. 196–146 BCE
Obverse: Laureate, bearded head of Zeus.
Reverse: Centaur (Chiron) advancing right, carrying a branch over the shoulder; ethnic ΜΑΓΝΗΤΩΝ (“of the Magnetes”) around; control mark below (indistinct on this specimen).
This bronze civic coinage was issued by the Magnetes of Thessaly during the period of increasing Roman influence following the defeat of Macedon. Zeus, the pan-Hellenic guarantor of authority, anchors the obverse, while the reverse features Chiron, the wise centaur traditionally associated with Thessaly and Mount Pelion. The pairing reflects both supra-regional legitimacy and strong local mythological identity.
The present specimen shows moderate circulation wear with surface smoothing typical of small-denomination Thessalian bronzes. Despite wear, the principal types remain clearly legible, making it a representative example of Magnetes civic coinage in everyday use during the 2nd century BCE.Create Date
October 20, 2025Update Date
June 4, 2026
