Founded as a colony of Miletus in the 7th century BC, Istros flourished as a maritime city on the Black Sea’s western shore. Its coinage reflects both Greek artistic influence and local traditions, combining mythological symbols with references to the natural world.
The paired heads remain one of the great puzzles of Greek numismatics, suggesting cosmic duality or divine twins. The sea eagle grasping a dolphin spoke directly to Istros’ relationship with the Black Sea, embodying both dominance over the waters and reverence for their life-giving force. Coins like this carried the identity of the polis far beyond its harbors, circulating through trade networks across the ancient Mediterranean.
The History
Founded as a colony of Miletus in the 7th century BC, Istros flourished as a maritime city on the Black Sea’s western shore. Its coinage reflects both Greek artistic influence and local traditions, combining mythological symbols with references to the natural world.
The paired heads remain one of the great puzzles of Greek numismatics, suggesting cosmic duality or divine twins. The sea eagle grasping a dolphin spoke directly to Istros’ relationship with the Black Sea, embodying both dominance over the waters and reverence for their life-giving force. Coins like this carried the identity of the polis far beyond its harbors, circulating through trade networks across the ancient Mediterranean.
Coin Details
Origin: Istros, Black Sea Region
Date: 4th–3rd century BC
Denomination: Silver drachm
Obverse: Two male heads, one upright and one inverted
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The Peregrine Collection
The Peregrine Collection represents the finest of our offerings—rare or historically significant coins, each set in a fully hand-forged 18k gold bezel and paired with a dainty 14k gold chain. Every bezel is shaped, hammered, and polished entirely by hand to follow the natural contours of the ancient coin, ensuring both secure preservation and refined presentation. No two settings are ever alike, making each pendant a singular work of wearable history.
Inverted Heads, Twins in Gold
$1,250.00
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Testimonials
My four daughters absolutely LOVED them! Your work is excellent and the pendants look great- Thank you!
— Eva S.
Thank you for making this spectacular necklace! I provided the denarius of Julia Domna, and they did the rest. I was delighted with the results - and so (more importantly) was my girlfriend.
— Garrett Ryan from Toldinstone
Got the ring today! Love it!
— Margaret B.
The Athenian Owl pendants are awesome! We're saving the gift for a special occasion. My wife loved it, she got it and was all hushed quiet, that smile while opening and handling it for the first few minutes. It's special.
— Joe E.
OMG the coin. It’s sooo gorgeous. I love it so so so so much. Thank you for keeping me in mind and finding this piece of perfection for me.
— Cecilia A.
Curated Classics. History in Every Piece
FAQs
Are all coins authentic?
Yes — all coins are genuine, not replicas. Fakes are rare because good forgeries take too much effort for low-value coins, and bad ones are easy to spot.
Where are your coins bought?
Mostly from reputable ancient coin auctions in Europe and the USA, plus private collections.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we proudly ship worldwide. Shipping options and times vary by country — you’ll see available methods at checkout.
Can I send you my own coin to make a pendant?
Absolutely! We love turning personal coins into wearable pieces. Just email us at info@peregrinependants.com to discuss your custom order.
What if my pendant needs repair?
If your pendant ever needs repair or resizing, contact us — we’re happy to help keep your piece in top shape.
