The Greeks first struck coins as early as 680 BCE, which is often referred to as the beginning of the period of archaic art. Coins from this period, which are often irregular rather than round, initially featured a punched geometric mark on one side and an animal such as a turtle, lion, or flying boar on the other.

Within a few hundred years, ancient Greek coins began to feature figures on both sides, such as on a coin that boasted four dolphins encircling the bust of Arethusa on the obverse and a pair of horses pulling a charioteer on the reverse.

Ancient Greek coins really came into their own between 415 and 336 BCE, and even 50 years or so beyond that. Bronze coins from this so-called fine art period included images of A...pollo and other gods. Some of the most beautiful coins were struck in Syracuse on the island of Sicily, home to renowned engraver Kimon.