BCE 0350 - 0300 AKARNANIA, Leukas. Circa 350–300 BCE. Æ. Bellerophon on Pegasus / Chimaira at Bay.
Description
Akarnania, Northwestern Greece
This bronze coin was issued by the city of Leukas in Akarnania during the late Classical to early Hellenistic period. The obverse depicts the hero Bellerophon mounted on Pegasus, thrusting his spear as he flies into combat. On the reverse, the Chimaira—hybrid monster of lion, goat, and serpent—is shown at bay, completing the narrative of one of Greek mythology’s most famous heroic exploits. The choice of this mythic pairing emphasizes themes of civic protection, heroic virtue, and divine favor, while also showcasing Leukas’s participation in the shared mythological vocabulary of the Greek world. Catalogued in the BCD Akarnania corpus, this type is among the most visually dynamic bronze issues of the region.
