Corithian Regasus

Denomination:  Stater

Date: 250 – 300 BC

Description: Pegasus and Athena

This coin was minted in the city of Corinth where the Pegasus had a special significance because it was the Greek city where the Pegasus first set foot on earth.  Here, with the help of Athena, the Greek goddess of war and wisdom, a young Corinthian nobleman named Bellerophon captured the Pegasus while it paused to drink from a fountain. He then tamed it so he could ride on its back to accomplish tasks that would otherwise have been impossible for a mortal. Pegasus, loved by Zeus and in charge of bringing him his lightening and thunderbolts, was eventually made one of the most beautiful constellations in the heavens. Bellerophon misbehaved and became arrogant and was ejected from the back of Pegasus. He was crippled in his fall to earth and spent the remainder of his life grieving the loss of his steed and wandering the earth in search of him. 

Athena was one of the most important goddesses in Greek mythology. She sprang full-grown and armored from the forehead of the god Zeus and was his favorite child. Athena was primarily the goddess of the Greek cities, but also symbolized the agricultural arts and the crafts of women. Before her legends were complete she was also given the patronage of wisdom and war. Among her gifts to man were olives and grapes, the inventions of the plow and the flute, the arts of taming animals, building ships, and making shoes.