Aegina Turtle
OriginAegina
First Minted500 BC
MaterialSilver
TypeCoin
About Aegina Turtle
The first widely traded Greek coin, minted on the island of Aegina. Featured a sea turtle on the obverse. Aegina was a major trading power before Athens rose to prominence. The turtle coins were accepted throughout the Aegean and beyond. The turtle symbolized maritime trade and the sea god Poseidon. When Athens conquered Aegina in 456 BC, production of turtle coins ceased, replaced by Athenian owl tetradrachms.
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