Abdera started minting soon after its foundation in 544 BC. The city's coins depicted a griffon, a winged lion with an eagle's head. The reverse of this stater features the Greek hero Heracles sitting on a rock. He is holding his club and is wearing the skin of the slain Nemean lion.
An illustrious artist must have cut the die for this coin – the way Heracles is turning his head shows great skill. Besides, the name of Philados is given in Greek letters, indicating the official under whose supervision the coin was struck. This enables us to date it to about 390 BC.