Ancient Bronze Coin Pendant Featuring Ares God of War and Nymph

A helmeted profile looks right, framed by Greek letters around the rim.

This ancient bronze coin pendant featuring Ares, god of war, and a nymph comes from Phalana, Greece, and dates to 275 – 215 BCE. It is bronze set in sterling silver. Greek city coinage often paired a deity on one side with a local figure on the other, and Ares appears on bronze issues of several cities. The coin shows a head in profile facing right, with Greek letters curving along the edge. Its warm brown surface is worn soft by age. A plain silver bezel frames it, topped by a bow-like bail. It is 0.88 inches long and 1.38 high.

War on one side, and a touch of grace on the other.