This famous ithyphallic stater was struck on the island of Thasos, located in the northern Aegean Sea off the Thracian coast, circa 525–463 BC. The city prospered благодаря its rich gold and silver mines and its active maritime trade, becoming a major economic power in the region. The obverse depicts an ithyphallic satyr carrying off a nymph, an iconic type closely associated with the cult of Dionysos, which was especially prominent on Thasos. This imagery reflects both the religious beliefs and cultural identity of the archaic city. The metal of this specimen shows slight crystallization, a condition commonly observed on early Thasian staters.
