Come Fly with Me

Anyone old enough to remember the good ol’ days when flying was considered a luxury and a privilege will most likely agree that it has lost its luster. Today, flying is more of a challenge and test of patience than a pleasure. Nevertheless, it is also an occasional necessity and one that brings to mind an ancient desire of humans to soar like our feathered friends. 

Early coins frequently featured images of flying creatures. These creatures were likely inspired by envious thoughts of being able to take flight and its advantages. Depicting animals with the power to fly showed how godlike, mighty, and significant these creatures were in the eyes of ancient coin designers.  

Collectors are fortunate to have an expanse of choices when seeking examples of coins depicting birds and other flying creatures. These range from some of the earliest known coins to present-day pieces and include regular and fictional representations. Some bizarre offerings show winged pigs, lions, horses, and humans. This article focuses on some of my favorite ancient coins that depict our mythical flying friends.

One of the oldest and most frequently seen depictions is the angel-like image of Victory, who is often seen proclaiming the winner in contests, as on the beautiful silver coins of Syracuse. The winged Victory the Messenger, also known as Nike, is also shown on several other coins spreading good news. On some other ancient coins, the horses themselves are shown with wings.

The ancient Mesopotamian theme of a lion or bull with wings, known as a lamassu, is another example of a rendition of a fabled all-powerful creature and man’s desire to emulate birds.

Of all the representations used throughout the years, one of the longest-lasting is a lion with wings that has become the symbol of Saint Mark and is seen on several Venetian coins. Known as the Lion of St. Mark, it has a long history dating back to A.D. 1000. He once envisioned a lion appearing to him, saying, “Peace to you, my Evangelist.” Today, the lion is a reminder of Venetians’ strength and loyalty to their country and religion.

Oddly, pigs with wings can be seen on several ancient coins and have become a unique collecting specialty. At least six Greek towns have used the image of a winged boar. The mythical creature is usually identified as Chrysaor and is said to be a brother of the god Pegasus. I have often wondered if such coins could be the basis of the expression of doubt “when pigs fly.” 

Among all the choices, I prefer horses, especially those with wings, as seen on the coins of Corinthia and her colonies. Many are majestic in their pose and stance. Some of the coins depict them flying or simply standing. The wings remind me of the myth of how they came to be associated with the city. According to legend, Athena gifted a golden bridle to the hero Bellerophon to use on the flying horse Pegasus, which he captured and tamed. Afterward, he had many adventures, killing various beasts and even boasting that he could fly to the homes of the gods on Mount Olympus, where Zeus gave him the task of bringing thunderbolts whenever he needed them.

Anyone old enough to remember the Mobil gas stations of the 1950s may still recall their catchy jingle: “I love to go riding with daddy, and he loves to take me, of course. We stop for our gas and our oil at the sign of the flying red horse.” They still use the same flying horse symbol on their products, and it always gives me a thrill to see it as a reminder of these beautiful coins.

The coins mentioned here are but a few that depict winged creatures. A survey of these pieces could easily fill a book. Nevertheless, I hope this will inspire your collecting pursuits to take flight!