Thessaly Nymph Larissa & Horse - Silver Didrachm - Short History

A silver Didrachm minted in the city state of Larissa (in the Thessaly region) around 370 BC.

On the obverse side of the coin, there is the head of fountain nymph Larissa, wearing earrings and plain necklace. It is believed that the nymph depicted in this coin had been copied from Kimon's Syracusian facing Arethusa.
On the reverse side, a bridled horse walking right is depicted. The inscription reads “LARISAION” in Greek fonts (belonging to the people of Larissa).

The city of Larissa was named after the nymph Larissa, who is depicted on the city’s coins. The whole Thessaly region was also famous for its horses, that are depicted too on most coins of that region. It is also said that Hippocrates, the father of medicine, died there.

The original coin is exhibited in the Numismatic Museum of Athens, Greece.