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Landlocked_WaterSimp t1_jac3s5u wrote

The article you link states 'Variety of placement and number [of coins], including but not limited to a single coin in the mouth, is characteristic of all periods and places.'.

So it sounds to me like a 'not always in the mouth, not predominantely on the eyes, but anything goes'

Edit: Not saying the title is wrong per se just a bit too decisive IMO.

Further edit: At least according some superficial online search it has been proposed that coins over the eyes could kind of combine the purpose of pay forcthe ferryman and just to keep the eyelids from opening but i didn't find many sources neither in support nor opposition of this theory.

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Arigato_MrRoboto t1_jac410g wrote

So what you're saying is don't use dead bodies like slot machines?

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Firespark7 t1_jac4alp wrote

The coin was intended as payment to Charon for the ferry ride to Hades.

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AtebYngNghymraeg t1_jacb267 wrote

I've never heard of ancient Greeks putting coins on the eyes. I've heard that about Victorians, and it's also mentioned in The Mayor of Casterbridge.

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Huge_Contribution_46 t1_jadrc4v wrote

It’s not a myth. Coins were placed on eyes to keep them closed. Some cultures did it for religious significance too. Wouldn’t be weird if Greeks and Romans did the same thing.

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