The facing head motif represents the pinnacle of the ancient die engraver’s art. Facing heads generally look more lifelike and expressive than coins with the more common profile relief. In the case of facing heads from Larissa, a wide range of artistic styles is represented.

In fact, no other region in ancient history ever manufactured such a wide diversity of facing head coinage. Although there have certainly been facing heads that surpassed Larissian ones in beauty and sophistication, their sheer variety is one reason why it is interesting to collect them.

Another reason is that there are Larissian facing heads to suit almost any budget. These facing coins can range from $50 to $15,000, depending on their denomination, grade and artistic merit. A drachm of extra fine grade can cost between $1,000 and $1,800, although some have sold for higher than $3,000.

There are roughly three phases of Larissian facing head drachms: early, middle and late. Each era brings a different style to the motif. The coins of the early period reflect remarkable experimentation and diversity. You will find coins that emphasize charm and seduction, those that reflect a more noble and dignified appearance, and finally those that convey a powerful intensity.

Figure 1 is an example of an early Larissian facing head drachm. Note the delicate style, and the coy expression on Larissa’s face. Many facing head coins of the early period were very expressive.

Figure 1

The middle drachms are more stylized, although there are exceptionally beautiful pieces among them as well. In fact, in some ways, the middle facing coins represent the height of the Larissian die engraver’s craft. They surpass many early coins in their intricacy and sophistication. An attractive middle period specimen is featured in Figure 2.

Figure 2

Finally, the late coins are more stylized yet. Many were mass-produced, and as a result, show little artistic daring. But others are more interesting by way of creative expression. In some ways the higher-end drachms of the late period represent the “definitive Larissa”, portraying the nymph in an idealized fashion, and with the standard crouching horse in the reverse (see Figure 3).

Figure 3

There are a number of aspects related to Larissian coins that may be interesting to look for. One relates to the overt masculinity of some coins. In the case of some early and late specimens, the nymph looks decidedly manly in appearance. This is in stark contrast to the overt femininity of other early and middle dies.

Figure 4 is one of the manliest looking of any of the dies from Larissa. It is a late facing drachm. Note the fleshy, heavy features. It is hard to believe that this version was intended to portray a nymph.

Figure 4

Another focus for collectors might be the artist’s signature, which is present in some of the early drachms. The earliest engraver to be identified is Simo. His signature appears in some of the less sophisticated very early dies, but his work gradually evolves to include examples of greater artistic merit. Figure 5 shows two obverses where the signature of Simo is very evident, just above the head of Larissa. Some later early coins are signed by another artist, AI or IA.

Figure 5

It is feasible to collect a representative specimen of most of the head types described in the catalogue of early drachms. On the other hand, some head types are quite scarce and have not been seen in market in at least a decade. At a more detailed level, there are obverse types that have not appeared in market for decades, and indeed, no digitized image is available for use in the Early Facing Head Catalogue presented in this site (a text description is available, however).

Some of the early coins in Groups 1 & 2 suffer from significant die flaws that badly disfigure their obverse (see figure 6). On the other hand, collectors may be interested in including these specimens, if only to provide a sense of continuity as far as the evolution of Larissian facing head coinage is concerned.

Figure 6

It is quite common to find representatives of the six series of middle facing drachms. But it is more difficult to find representative coins of Series 2-5 in a higher grade. Coins from Series 6 (mare and foal in reverse) are quite common in a range of grades.

The common coins of the late period are quite easy to find and are likewise available in a wide variety of grades. Figure 7 is one such example. In fact, although it is a common late facing coin, it nonetheless has a certain character that makes it appealing. Larissa here seems to have a slight scowl.

Figure 7

One feature of Larissian facing head drachms is that almost all suffer from a slight disfigurement (flattening) of the nose. This minor flattening is not always noticeable when viewed face on, and only slightly when viewed in profile. It is much less often evident in the case of staters. This slight flattening is not to be confused with the major flaws seen in some Larissian drachms, in which the nose, lips and chin are significantly flat.

Perhaps the most stunning and artistically evolved Larissian facing head coins are found among high-end staters. These coins fetch significant amounts in market, and for good reason. Their attention to subtle detail, their life-like renditions, and their overall beauty, make them a prized possession among dedicated collectors. Figure 8 shows a stater of superior style. Staters of lower grade will usually start at $2,000.

Figure 8

The collector who is interested in purchasing Larissian staters should be alert to the fact that there are numerous forgeries of such coins (see Figure 9 for an example). While it is unlikely that a reputable dealer will fail to identify such fakes, forged Larissian staters are a common sight on EBay. The buyer should take into consideration the reputation of the seller, an unexpectedly low opening bid, and should research the appearances and styles of such coins, in order to make accurate assessments regarding their authenticity.

Figure 9

There are very few fakes depicting Larissian drachms. However, there are numerous jewelry and souvenir reproductions that are sometimes presented as authentic by unknowledgeable sellers on EBay. Again, the best protection is adequate research on the part of prospective bidders.

A strong recommendation is to buy Larissian coinage from reputable dealers, particularly those experienced in evaluating ancient coins. Larissian pieces appear quite often in ancient coin auctions, but can also be purchased through online coin marketplaces, such as VCoins.

Collecting Larissian coins can turn out to be a lifelong passion. It is hoped that the resources in this site will be helpful in the accurate identification and study of such treasures.