The Gorgon face is shown frontally, encircled with wavy snake-like hair. She is depicted with a round face, open mouth with exposed teeth and the tongue sticking out, protruding ears and large joined eyebrows. Her hair is tied and arranged above and around the forehead with a central parting, while the rest of it is flowing loosely around her head.
Attachment ring at the back.

The Gorgon is depicted in the Archaic style, with large features with strong and horrifying expression. She was one of the three mythological sister-monsters whose appearance would turn anyone who laid eyes upon them to stone. The phalera – an armor decoration mounted on the chest, was a kind of medal and was believed to have the power to protect the bearer. It may be found in depictions of the goddess Athena (-Roman Minerva), of Alexander the Great, and of Roman Emperors and military officers.



For Archaic examples:
Cf. Stewart, A., 1990, nos. 62-63, 85.

For Gorgon’s head on shields see:
Ibid, nos. 365-367.

As a phalera worn on the chest by Athena:
Ibid, no. 402. 

On a coin:
Sear, D. R., 1978, p. 134, nos. 1303, 1305.
  

Stewart, A., Greek Sculpture. An Exploration, II (plates), Yale University Press, New Haven & London, 1990

Sear, D. R., Greek Coins and their Values, vol. I: Europe, Seaby Publications Ltd., London, 1978