Phocian Drachm

The Phocian drachm's reverse often depicted a bull in full charge, a stark emblem of the region's rugged terrain and its people's unyielding spirit during the 5th century BC conflicts.

These silver coins, typically weighing around 5-6 grams under the Aeginetic standard, were struck in Phocis to facilitate trade and tribute in central Greece. The obverse usually showed a facing head of Demeter or Artemis, reflecting local cults near Delphi. We know from surviving examples that the metal came from regional mines, though exact sources remain unclear.

Production likely spanned the Classical period, but precise dates and mintage figures vanished with ancient records—possibly during the sack of Delphi in 480 BC or later invasions. That bull on the reverse? It's not charging at collectors today, just sitting quietly in museum cases.