The golden age of both Greek power and artistic achievement, the Classical Period spans from the defeat of Xerxes' vast Persian army in 479 BC to the hegemony of Macedon and conquest of Persia by Alexander the Great (336 BC). In the century-and-a-half following the Greek victory in the Persian Wars, Greek culture enjoyed a remarkable flourishing. For much of the 5th century BC, Athens reigned supreme, with its revolutionary political structure (democracy) and titans of poetry, plays, and sculpture. The Parthenon (built 447-438 BC) represented the height of Athenian power under the great statesman Pericles; his death in 431 BC and the 30-year Peloponnesian War with Sparta shattered Athenian hegemony over the Greek world.
Greek, Classical – Lesbos, Mytilene (ca. 377-326 BC) Electrum Hecte – Facing Athena/Hermes
Phoenicia, Tyre – ‘Ozmilk (r. 349-311 BC) Silver Shekel – Deity Riding Hippocamp/Owl
Phoenicia, Tyre – ‘Ozmilk (r. 349-311 BC) Silver Shekel – Deity Riding Hippocamp/Owl
*Bold* Greek, Classical – Ionia, Ephesus (ca. 405-390 BC) Bronze Chalkous – Bee/Stag
Greek, Classical – Acarnania, Anactorium (ca. 350-300 BC) Silver Stater – Pegasus/Athena
*Egyptian God Bes* Cilicia, uncertain (ca. 400-333 BC) Silver Obol
Greek, Classical – Lesbos, Mytilene (ca. 377-326 BC) Fourree Electrum Hecte – Persephone/Bull
Greek, Classical – Lesbos, Mytilene (ca. 412-378 BC) Electrum Hecte – Artemis/Telchine
Greek, Classical – Locris Opuntii (ca. 350-340 BC) Silver Triobol – Demeter/Ajax – NGC Ch F, Pedigree to 1955
Attica, Athens (353-294 BC) Greek Silver ‘Owl’ Tetradrachm, Late-Mass Type
Persian Empire – Datames, satrap of Cilicia (r. 384-361 BC) Silver Stater – Facing Female Head/Ares
*One of the Finest Known* Greek, Classical – Island of Lesbos, Mytilene (ca. 454-427 BC) Electrum Hecte – Silenus/Two Ram Heads
Early Classical Period – Island of Thasos (ca. 480-463 BC) Silver Stater – Satyr Carrying Nymph
*Graceful Artistry* Greek, Classical – Thessaly, Kierion (ca. 350-325 BC) Silver Trihemiobol – Zeus/Arne
Classical Period – Pamphylia, Side (ca. 400-380 BC) Silver Stater – Athena/Apollo
Early Classical Period – Island of Thasos (ca. 480-463 BC) Silver Stater – Satyr & Nymph
Persian Empire – Xerxes I/Artaxerxes I (ca. 485-420 BC) Gold Daric – NGC AU
*Gorgeous Classical Greek Art* Ionia, Phocaea (ca. 477-388 BC) Electrum Hecte – Youthful Satyr Pan – NGC Choice XF 5/5 – 4/5
*Sublime Facing Heracles* Sicily, Selinus (ca. 410 BC) Silver Hemidrachm – Rare & The Finest Known
Kingdom of Macedon – Archelaus (r. 413-399 BC) Silver Stater – Apollo/Horse – Powerful Style
Macedon – Alexander the Great (r. 336-323 BC) Silver Tetradrachm, Lifetime Issue of Salamis, Cyprus – NGC VG
Greek, Classical – Sicily, Gela (ca. 420-405 BC) Bronze Tetras – NGC XF 4/5 – 3/5
Macedon – Alexander the Great (r. 336-323 BC) Silver Tetradrachm (Kition, Cyprus) – Late Lifetime/Early Posthumous Issue
Alexander’s Empire – Lycaonia, Laranda (324/323 BC) Silver Obol – Ba’al/Wolf
Greek, Classical – Ionia, Phocaea (ca. 387-326 BC) Electrum Hecte – Goddess Demeter
*Stunning Facing Athena* Pericles, dynast of Lycia (r. 380-360 BC) Silver 1/6 Stater – NGC Choice AU 4/5 – 4/5
Greek, Italy – Calabria, Tarentum (ca. 480-470 BC) Silver Nomos – Taras Riding Dolphin
Persian Empire – Datames, satrap of Cilicia (r. 384-361 BC) Silver Obol – Facing Female Head/Aphrodite
*NGC AU* Persian Empire – Xerxes I/Artaxerxes I (ca. 485-420 BC) Gold Daric
Greek, Classical – Troas, Abydus (ca. 350-325 BC) Silver Hemidrachm – Apollo/Eagle