★ Pelopponesian War ★
THESSALY, Pharsalos, mid to late 5th century BCE, AR “hemidrachm”. 2.80g, 15mm.
Obv: Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Attic helmet and drop earring.
Rev: ΦA-P Horse’s head and neck to right, all in incuse square.
BCD Thessaly II 632
From the JB (Edmonton) collection.
Pharsalos was one of the only towns in Thessaly to stand with Athens against the Persians. Later, when this coin was minted, they also came to Athens’ aid during the Pelopponesian War, particularly against the Boeotians. This coin is a nice illustration of the alliance, with its archaic obverse image obviously borrowing directly from the larger city’s coinage.