Pan & Athena

The ancient Greek God Pan was a mischievous God who thrived in the wilderness. He is depicted as half-man, half-goat, sometimes playing a musical pipe called a Syrinx. The special qualities of this Greek God can be felt when you walk through the shadows of a dark wooded area and feel a chill in your spine, or are overcome with fright from strange noises underfoot or a rustling brush in the distance. We derive the word "Panic" from his name. Pan, to the ancient Greeks, had the useful talent of instilling fear that was a powerful weapon against invading enemies. In the year 277 BC, Antigonos Gonatas, son of Demetrios Poliorketes, claimed the throne of the Kingdom of Macedonia after a victory over the Gallic invaders in Thrace. Special tribute is paid to the God Pan for his protection over the Macedonian troops, and intervening on their side when they were battling enemies of the state. Portrayed on this coin is a portrait of Pan in profile with horns, and encircled by the designs of the Macedonian shield. The reverse shows Athena, the Goddess of wisdom and war, brandishing a thunderbolt and spear. The Inscription says "King Antigonos" in Ancient Greek.