2nd century BCE
Æ Trichalkon 20mm, 8.86g, 6h
Laureate head of Zeus r.
R/ The centaur Chiron advancing r., holding branch over his l. shoulder, his r. arm raised.
BCD Thessaly 419; HGC 4, 66
The Magnetes region of Thessaly was the home of many of Greece’s finest heroes, including Jason, Peleus, and Achilles.
The word “magnet” has its origins in Magnetes, since the word for it in Greek literally means “stone of Magnetes”. The words “magnesium” and “manganese” also have their origins here.
The area did not begin to mint coins until the 2nd century BCE.