Silver Obol of Terone(?) with Oinochoe

Place of OriginGreece, Terone (modern-day Toroni)

Date5th century BCE

DimensionsMax L: 15.27 mm (1.5 cm); H: 2.08 mm (0.2 cm); Weight: 1.89 grams

MediumSilver.

ClassificationMetalwork

Credit LineGift of the Popplestone Family

Object number

2006.113

Not on View

DescriptionA silver obol from Terone (Chalcidice), dating to the 5th century BCE. The obverse depicts an oinochoe (wine pitcher), sometimes with grapes; the reverse is a simple quadripartite incuse square (ref: Hardwick Terone; SNG ANS 747).

Label TextIn the ancient Greek world, even small change carried civic pride. This tiny silver coin, known as an obol, was worth a fraction of a day's wage. It depicts an oinochoe, a pitcher used for serving wine. The image likely refers to the local wine trade, a primary economic engine for the city of Terone. Such small denominations were essential for daily marketplace transactions, allowing citizens to buy bread, fish, or admission to the theater.