Athena and Pegasus - Corinthian stater - Short History

Corinth, one of the earliest cities issuing coins in ancient Greece, started issuing staters in the mid 6th century BC .

Most coins minted in Corinth show Pegasus, the winged horse tamed by the Corinthian hero Bellerophon assisted by goddess Athena.

According the legend, Bellerophon in his effort to tame Pegasus, fell asleep near Athena’s altar. Athena came as in an vision in his sleep and gave him a golden bridle. When Bellerophon woke up, he found near him this golden bridle and with it, he tamed Pegasus. Because of this, Athena was also named "Chalinitis", meaning bridler of horses.

The head of Athena Chalinitis was chosen for the reverse of the coins in the end of the 6th century BC.

The circulation of the first Corinthian staters was restricted locally. However, the discovery of hoards with such staters in former colonies of Corinth as in Italy, indicates that their use was widely spread.