The cheeky Thracian
To mark Valentine’s Day, here is a slightly risqué selection where you wouldn’t expect it!
The island of Thasos, not far from Samothrace, celebrated not victory but indeed love on the obverse of several of its coins, which quite clearly depict the coupling of a satyr and a nymph.
Surprising, a little salacious, and quite fantastic.
Islands off Thrace Stater
ca. 435-411 BC, Thasos, Argento, NGC, Ch XF 5/5-2/5
Moneta Thrace
Drachm, 550-463 BC, Thasos, MB+, Argento, SNG-Cop:1014
Moneta Islands off Thrace
Stater, ca. 480-460 BC, Thasos, BB, Argento
Picture: "Nymphs and Satyr" by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1873)(Public Domain)