This coin features the youthful god Dionysos, depicted with a serene expression, facing right. He wears an ivy wreath, a plant sacred to him, and a band across his forehead, symbolizing his divine status and association with nature, festivity, and rebirth. His effeminate features and tranquil demeanor capture the duality of his nature as both joyous reveler and mysterious deity.
Dionysos, the son of Zeus and Semele, was a central figure in Greek mythology. Revered as the god of wine, theatre, and ecstatic celebration, he embodied both creative inspiration and divine madness. His cult was widespread across the Greek world, particularly in regions associated with viticulture, like Thrace. Festivals in his honor, such as the Dionysia, played a pivotal role in Greek cultural and religious life.
On the reverse, Dionysos appears again, this time standing in a frontal pose with his head turned to the left. He is shown nude, a symbol of heroic divinity, holding a bunch of grapes and two spears, with a cloak draped over one arm. The grapes emphasize his role as the god of wine, while the spears and his confident stance reflect his power and protection of his followers. Greek inscriptions identify the issuing city as Maroneia, an ancient city in Thrace renowned for its fine wine, and likely name the magistrate in office at the time.