Aegina Sea Turtle Stater Pendant in Sterling Silver

An authentic silver stater from the island of Aegina, struck circa 525–480 BC.

Long before Athens became the dominant naval power of Greece, the small island of Aegina produced one of the world's first internationally recognised silver coins. These remarkable staters travelled aboard merchant ships throughout the Mediterranean, becoming trusted currency in an age when long-distance trade was transforming the ancient world.

More than 2,500 years later, this authentic silver coin remains one of the great icons of Greek numismatics

A Coin You Can Feel

Unlike many ancient coins, an Aegina stater has an unmistakable physical presence.

Struck on a broad, thick silver flan weighing 11.64 grams, it feels substantial in the hand. Its rounded form and satisfying weight remind you that ancient coins were not merely images—they were objects carried daily by merchants, sailors, and travellers.

Holding one today offers an experience remarkably close to that of the person who first received it over twenty-five centuries ago.

The Sea Turtle

The obverse depicts a sea turtle, the enduring emblem of Aegina. As an island whose prosperity depended upon the sea, the turtle symbolised maritime power, commerce, and the confidence of a city whose coins were accepted throughout the Greek world. This simple yet powerful design became one of antiquity's earliest and most recognisable monetary symbols.

The reverse bears the characteristic incuse punch of early Greek coinage, preserving the fascinating techniques used by some of the first master engravers.

Looking for a different example?

Every ancient coin is unique. If you're looking for an Aegina turtle in a different condition, price range, or set in another precious metal, I'd be happy to help you find the right example.