Ancient Greece in Twelve Coins

Learn the stories behind iconic ancient Greek coins and discover their profound impact on civilization in this vividly rendered, utterly captivating book by renowned historian and numismatist Gareth Harney, perfect for history buffs and coin collectors alike.

It was the Greeks who invented money as we know it, striking the first coins in the seventh century BC. Before long this innovative idea of a portable metallic store of wealth spread across the waves of the Mediterranean. But these coins were more than simple units of exchange; they quickly became artistic masterpieces crafted in gold and silver and endure today as some of the most important surviving examples of Ancient Greek art.

More importantly, they advertised the power and virtues of each polis with patriotic fervor; for the empire of Greece was not a single entity but a rich mosaic of wholly distinct city-states spread across three continents. Yet for all their unique identities and rivalries, these states were bonded by their shared worship of a colorful gallery of gods, their devotion to art, literature and philosophy, and the courage and skill of their citizen-soldiers.

In this thrilling adventure, Gareth Harney introduces us to twelve fascinating coins that provide the perfect introduction to Ancient Greece. We witness the birth of democracy on a sacred hilltop overlooking the Acropolis, battle invading Persians in an existential war on land and at sea, take part in the bitter conflict between Athens and Sparta, and march alongside Alexander the Great as he carries Greek culture all the way to India.