Silver Coins of Ancient Greece - page 2

Asia and Africa.

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Asia Minor:


IMAGE
DESCRIPTION
REFERENCE
Kyzicos, Mysia, AR Trihemiobol 480 - 450 BC
Obv: Forepart of crested boar left. Tunny fish upward behind.
Rev: Lion head left, in incuse square.		 Sear 3848
Kyzicos, Mysia, AR obol 480 - 450 BCE (0.71 gm)
Similar to above: K in field above lion.		 Sear 3848
Kyzicos, Mysia, AR Tetradrachm, Circa 390-341/0 BCE (13.69 gm)
Obv: Wreathed head of Kore Soteira left, hair in sphendone covered with veil; wearing pendant earring.
Rev: Lion head left; below, tunny fish; amphora to right.
Ex. F. Robinson Auction 6/08		 SNG France 400-1
Amisos Pontos 120-63 BCE
Obv: Supposed faint Head of Medusa in center of Aegis.
Rev: Nike carrying wreath and palm: AMI-SOY.		 Sear 3642
Amisos Pontos Circa 4th Century BCE. AR Siglos (18mm, 3.26 g)
Obv: Head of Hera left, wearing stephane.
Rev:Facing owl; LI-IS on either side.
Ex: CNG Electronic Auction 		SNG BM Black Sea 1053; cf. SNG Stancomb 658
Paphlagonia, Sinope AR Drachm, 5.56 gm.
Obv: Head of nymph Sinope left, hair bound in a saccos; aplustre before .
Rev: Sea eagle l. on dolphin; magistrate IKE_; SIN below.
Ex: Frank Robinson		 Sear Greek 3696
Greek Kyme, after 190 B.C. AR Tetradrachm 16.95 gm.
Obv: Head of the Amazon Kyme right wearing taenia .
Rev: Horse standing right, one handled cup below; KALLIAS magistrate.
Ex: Pars Coins
A beautifully rendered work of art. While much of the art seen on coins had declined from its high point in the Classical era, cities in western Asia Minor experienced a renaissance of the celators' art in the period between Seleukid and Roman rule (see Myrina below).		 Oakley, ANS MN 27, issue 16
Aeolis, Myrina. After 165 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.57 gm).
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right.
Rev: Apollo Grynios holding branch and phiale, omphalos and amphora at feet; monograms to left.
ex: Frank Robinson		 ANS MN 30
Troas, Antandros. Circa 4th-3rd Century BC ¨12
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right.
Rev: lion's head right.
ex: Mediterranean Coins		 SNG von Aulock 1493
Parion, Mysia, 3/4 drachm, gorgon @480 BCE (3.12 gm)
Obv: Facing gorgon head, with tongue protruding.
Rev: Incuse square containing cruciform pattern with pellet at center.
ex: F. Robinson		 Sear 3917
Mysia, Pergamon. Circa 76-67 BC. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm (12.58 gm)
Obv: Cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath.
Rev: Bow-case with serpents; ethnic monogram left, KT and monogram above, thyrsos right.		 Sear 3948v
Achemenid [Persian] Empire 400 - 330 BCE AR Siglos (6.47 gm)
Obv: King advancing left with bow and spear.
Rx: Incuse punch.
ex: F. Robinson		 Sear 4682
Achemenid [Persian] Empire 400 - 330 BCE AR Siglos (5.49 gm)
Obv: King advancing left with bow and dagger.
Rx: Incuse punch.
ex: F. Robinson		 Sear 468o
Cappadocian Kingdom. Ariobarzanes III, 52-42 BCE, AR Drachm (3.68 gm)
Obv: His laureate head right, bearded.
Rx: Athena standing left, holding Nike right, spear and shield; in field to left, star and crescent.
ex: Mediterranean Coins		 BMC 42, 3
Alexander III, the Great (336-323 BC). AR tetradrachm (16.59 gm). Posthumous issue of Temnos, ca. 188 - 170 BC.
Obv: Head of young Heracles right, wearing lion-skin headdress.
Rx: ALEXANDROU, Zeus seated left, holding eagle in right hand and scepter in left, two monograms in left field, oinochoe in oak wreath in lower left field.		 Sear 1688
Ionia, Miletos 6th century BCE 1/12 Stater (0.91 gm)
Obv: Lion's head left.
Rx: Flower pattern.
9 mm! Tell me they did not have magnifiers to engrave this little beauty.
Ex F. Robinson.		 Sear 3532
Ionia, Miletos after 190 BC Octobol (18 mm 4.95 gm)
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right.
Rx: Lion standing right, looking back at 8-rayed star. Probably represent the alignment of the sun or Venus in the constellation Leo. (Rare denomination)
Ex Ancient Imports.		 BMC 115v, Sear 1674
IONIA, Ephesos Circa 387-295 BC. AR Tetradrachm (14.94 gm)
Obv: E-F, bee with straight wings.
Rev: Forepart of a stag right, palm tree left; magistrate MANTIKRATH[S].
Site of the Temple of Artemis, one of the 7 Wonders of the world.
Ex CNG 61, Lot: 683.		 Head pg. 35; SNG Copenhagen 229
Ionia, Ephesos; AR Drachm
Obv: Bee.
Rev: Stag facing right, Palm Tree behind, magistrate's name to right.
Ex Bassem		 BMC 14, 61 123; Sear 4387
Ionia, Herakleia ad Latmon. Circa 165-140 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.70 g, 1h)
Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right.
Rev: Club; below, two monograms flanking Nike advancing left; all within oak wreath.
Ex: John F. Sullivan Collection; Sale: CNG 70, Lot: 249		 SNG Copenhagen 781 var. (monograms); BMC Ionia 1 var. (same); SNG von Aulock 1978 var. (same)
Ionia, Miletos
Helmet detail from coin above. 		Sear 3532
Ionia, Smyrna. Circa 145-125 B.C. ¨ 21mm/ Homereion (8.61 gm). Appidaiosmon, Magistrate.
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo right.
Rev: the poet Homer seated left, holding staff and scroll.
Ex Tom Vossen		 Milne 182
Ionia, Teos, AR tetartemorion = 1/4 obol, (7mm, 0.20g) c. 478-449 BCE
Obv: Griffin head.
Rev: Quadripartite incuse square.
Ex Mediterranean Coins		 Klein 481
Caria, Satraps, Maussollos 377-353 BC. AR Drachm (3.57 gm).
Obv: Laureate head of Apollo, facing slightly right
Rev: Zeus Labraundos standing right, holding double axe (labrys) and lotus-tipped sceptre
Famous builder of the Maussoleum, one of the 7 wonders of the world.
Ex Frank Robinson		 Sear 4956
Caria - Helicarnassus; Hemi-obol, @ 380BCE (0.40 gm)
Obv: Ram's head right.
Rev: Young male head right
Besides being the birthplace of Herodotus, Helicarnassus was the site of the Mausoleum
Ex Harlan Berk		 SNG Keckman - 883
Caria - Caunus; hemidrachm, after 168 BCE (1.04 gm)
Obv: Hd. of Athena right.
Rev: Sword in sheath, with strap; Bucranium to left; KTH(?) above, K to left, X to right.
Ex Dr. Henry C. Lindgren		 Sear 4818
Caria - uncertain Dynasts; hemidrachm, 5th cent. BCE (2.45 gm)
Obv: Winged half-kneeling figure right.
Rev: Griffin stdg. right paw raised, 		von Aulock 2352 and 8059 - rare
Caria, uncertain, first half 4th century BC, AR Persic Hemiobol (0.31 gm.) 7.51 mm.
Obv: young male head right; Karian inscription.
Rev: Sheep's head right.
A miniature masterpiece! a page demonstrating the size of this little gem.
Ex: Tom Vossen		 SNG Helsinki I, 883
Caria - Rhodes Didrachm; 304 - 166 BCE (6.49 gm)
Obv: Head of Helios 3/4 profile
Rev: Rose 1/2 opened; Grain ear left: Bud right
Ex H. C. Lindgren
Some suggest the image of Helios is the face of the Colossus of Rhodes - Another of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World.		 Sear 5048
ISLANDS off CARIA. Rhodes. Circa 166-88 BC ¨12; (1.39 gm)
Obv: radiate head of Apollo right.
Rev: Rose.
Ex: Mediterranean Coins		 SNG Copenhagen 860 (variant - this rose not in incuse square.
Pamphylia, Aspendos. Circa 370-330 BC. AR Stater (10.45 gm)
Obv: Two wrestlers grappling; KI between.
[E]STFEDIIU[S], slinger to right, shot bag on hip; triskeles in field
Ex: Jeff Gorman
Turkey is still a world power in wrestling. This coin from southern Turkey illustrates just how far back that heritage goes. In a similar fashion to Rhodes chosing a rose for the reverse symbol on their coins, It has been suggested that the slinger was chosen for the similarity of the Greek word for sling, sphendone, to the name of the town. These coins are slightly larger than Greek staters as they were struck on the Persian weight standard.		 SNG von Aulock 4557; SNG France 104.
Pamphylia, Side. Circa 155-36 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.20 gm) Kleuch-, magistrate
Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right.
Nike advancing left, holding wreath and palm; pomegranate to left, KLE-YX across field
Ex: Numis Coins
The style of the Side coins from this era was usually not at the level of the Ionian cities of this time. This coin's obverse is of relatively nice style while the reverse is quite crude.		 SNG France 697.
Alexander III. 336-323 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.96 gm). Perga mint. Year 26 (196/195 BC).
Obv: Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress
Rev: Zeus seated left, holding eagle and sceptre; KC left
Ex: American Coins		 Price 2940; MÙller 1242
Cilicia, Tarsos, Datames, 378-362 BC, AR Stater (9.98 gm.), 23.22 mm.
Obv: female head (Arethusa ?) with sphendone and necklace facing
Rev: helmeted head of bearded male right.
Ex: Tom Vossen		 BMC 167; SNG Levante 78
Cilicia, Tarsos, Mazaios, Satrap 361-334 BC, AR Stater (10.61 gm.)
Obv: Baaltars seated left; holding sceptre, corn-ear, bunch of grapes and eagle. Aramaic characters on either side and beneath throne
Rev: Lion bringing down bull; MZDI in Aramaic above
Ex: Eukratides		 BMC Cilicia, pg. 171, 52
Soloi, Cilicia ¨ 21 c. 200 BCE
Obv: Artemis rt, wearing spephane, bow and quiver at neck.
Rev: Athena advancing rt brandishing thunderbolt & holding shield, PE to left 		Sear 5621 var.
Phrygia, Apameia, 133-48 BC; ¨ 21; (7.83 gm.)
Obv: Head of Athena right.
Rev: Eagle flying r. over meander symbol, star and ethnic above; at sides, star atop pileus; magistrate's name below.
Ex. Mediterranean Coins 		SNG Cop-161-9

Phoenicia

PHOENICIA, Sidon: King 'Abd'Ashtart II, 345-343/2 BCE. AR dishekel (octodrachm), 24.99 gm.
Obv.: War galley w/ 15 oarsman left; Star above stern.
Rev: Chariot drawn by pacing horses left; driver leans forward holding reins; King of Persia in chariot; king of Sidon in Asian-style costume carrying cultic scepter and votive vase following; double Phoenician "Ayin" in upper left field.
Ex. Eukratides 		Sear 5942, Betlyon, ANSMN 21, 33; plate VI, 33a, b.
Phoenicia, Tyre. Cira 400-360 BC. AR Stater 8.80 gms.
Obv.: Melqart riding hippocamp right, holding reins in right hand, bow in left; double line of waves and a dolphin below
Rev: Owl standing right, crook and flail over left shoulder
Ex. Ofeke coins 		BMC Phoenicia p. 230, 19

Seleukid Empire

Seleukid, Alexander I Balas ¨18, 150- 145 BC
Obv: Helmeted Head of Alexander right.
Rev: Nike left, ear of grain in left field. 		SNG Cop 263.
Antiochus VI, 145-142 BC, ¨23 serrate, (8.11g)
Obv: Radiate head of Antiochus as Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy.
Rev: BASILEWS ANTIOXOY SEB EPIPHANOYS DIONYSOY - Elephant advancing left. 		Sear 7081.
SELEUKID KINGS of SYRIA. Tryphon. 142-138 BC. ¨ 18 5.47 gms.
Obv: Diademed head right.
Rev: Macedonian helmet adorned with ibex horn; monogram in inner left; caps of Dioskouroi in lower inner right field.
Ex: Frank Robinson 7/05 		SNG Spaer 1827.
SELEUCID KINGDOM: Antiochus I Soter. 281-261 BC. AR tetradrachm 10.70gm, Seleucia on the Tigris
Obv: Diademed head right.
Rev: Apollo seated left on omphalos, examining arrow and resting hand on grounded bow, AP monogram in outer left field, HP monogram in outer right field.
Ex: Frank Robinson 11/07 - thin flan, low weight 		SC 379.3a. ESM 149
Seleucid Kingdom, Antiochus VII [Euergetes] 138 - 129 BCE, AR Tetradrachm, 16.47g.
Obv: Head of emperor right, wearing a fillet.
Rev: Athena standing left, holding Nike in right hand, spear with left arm and resting right hand on shield; monogram and A left, O inside inscription, and A at right. BASILEWS ANTIOXOY right, EUERGETOY left
One of the few bright spots among a long line of bizarre Seleukid rulers. The younger brother of Denetrios II, he deposed the usurper Tryphon [who minted beautiful coins] and ruled with wisdom and integrity until killed in battle against the Parthians [who had captured his brother 9 years earlier]. 		SNG Spaer 1873
Seleucid Kingdom, Antiochus VII [Euergetes] 138 - 129 BCE, AR Tetradrachm,
Obv: Head of emperor right.
Rev: Eagle standing l. on beak of galley, palm-branch in backround; in field to left, monogram above club; to right, K monogram above Seleucid date; between eagle's legs, monogram
Tyre Mint. 		Sear 7094
Seleucid Kingdom, Demetrios II. Second Reign, 130-125 BC. AR Tetradrachm (13.65 gm).
Obv: Diademed Head of emperor right.
Rev: Eagle standing l. on beak of galley, palm-branch in backround; in field to left, monogram above club; to right, K monogram above Seleucid date; between eagle's legs, monogram
Eagle standing left on prow, palm over shoulder, club left surmounted by TYP monogram; APE left, AS and delta PR right, Z_ between legs
Tyre Mint. 		Sear 7105v
Seleucid Kingdom, Antiochus VIII [Grypos] First Reign. 121-113 BCE, AR Tetradrachm, 16.54g.
Obv: Head of emperor right, wearing a Diadem.
Rev: Zeus Oranios standing left, holding star and sceptre; IE/A to left, N to right. BASILEWS ANTIOXOY right.
Antioch mint
In contrast to Antiochos VII, Antiochos VIII paved the way for the end of the Seleukid empire. He participated in incessant warfare with his half-brother Antiochos IX and poisoned his mother Cleopatra in retaliation for her attempt to poison him. In keeping with the soap opera, He was murdered in 96 BCE and Antiochos IX was murdered the following year by his nephew Seleukos VI who was subsequently driven out of Antioch by his cousin Antiochos X etc. etc . EX CNG SALE 60 		SNG Spaer 2495; Newell, SMA, 367; Houghton, CSE, 322
Philip I, Philadelphus, 93-83 BCE AR tetradrachm (15.20 gm)
Obv: Diademed head of Philip II right, fillet border.
Rev: Zeus seated left, holding Nike and scepter.
Antioch Mint
reference - Sear 7214.
Minted postumously after Syria became a Roman province. 		?

Baktria

Baktria, Apollodotus I 160-150 B.C. AR drachm (2.20 gm)
Obv: Elephant with Greek inscription around.
Rev: Humpaback bull with legends around.
Mint: Taxila
A fine example of the merger of Greek and Indian cultures. The square coins were probably issued to align with the square punchmark coins already in use in the region. This would also explain the animal figures that appear on many of these coins. The coin is also bilingual. The obverse is in Greek, while the reverse is Prakrit, written in Kharoshthi script which reads Maharajasa tratarasa Apaladatasa [of the king, saviour, Apollodotus]. 		Sear 7591
Baktrian Kingdom, Menander, 160-145 BC, AR Indo-Greek standard drachm (2.43 gm)
Obv: Greek legend, BASILEWS SWTHROS [MENANDROY] Diademed and draped heroic bust left, holding spear.
Rev: Karosthi legend. Athena advancing right, with thunderbolt and shield.
Menander is one of the more interesting personalities of ancient history. He began his rule in the southern area of Baktria and greatly expanded Baktrian rule into India. However, he was also a philospher who converted to Buddhism and subsequently ceded all conquered land back to Indian rulers. He is the only person of Greek origin who is celebrated in ancient Indian literature. He is known as `Milinda' and was a well thought of teacher and scholar. We could use more of his kind today. 		Sear 7604
Menander, Baktria 160-145 BCE, AR drachm 2.43 gms.
Obv: laureate and draped bust right.
Rev: Athena stg. lt. holding shield and throwing lightning bolt; Karosthi legend aoround; monogram in rt field. 		Sear 7600
Menander, Baktria square ¨ 20 160-145 BCE
Obv: Helmeted bust of Athena right.
Rev: Nike stg. rt. holding wreath and palm; Karosthi legend aoround; monogram in rt field. 		Sear 7612
Baktria, Hermaios 40 - 1 BCE Drachm (1.92 gm)
Obv: Diademed bust right.
Rev: Zeus seated left, Karosthi legend around; Maharajasa tratarasa Heramayasa, monogram to left. br>The last of the kings of Baktria. With his defeat by the Kushans, The independent Greek states established by Alexander ceased to exist. 		Sear 7738
Kushans, Vima Taktu - Soter Megas AD 78-110) ¨ tetradrachm
Taxila series.
Obv: Diademed, radiate bust r., holding scepter; tamgah behind. 6 rays above head.
Rev: Greek inscription. Mounted horseman holding whip, adv rt., tamgah in front. 		Mitchiner ACW.2953-2956

Egypt/Africa

Alexander III (the Great) Tetradrachm Memphis mint @310 BCE
Obv: Herakles in lion skin right
Rev: Zeus entroned w/ eagle. Pegasos flying right in left field. 		BMC 3974b
Egypt, Ptolemy III, 246-221 BC. ¨ 34mm (33.28 gm).
Obv: Diademed head of Zeus-Ammon right
Rev: BASILEWS PTOLEMAIOU, eagle standing left on winged thunderbolt; cornucopiae before, monogram (Chi-Rho) between legs. 		Svoronos 965; SNG Copenhagen 173ffb
Egypt, Ptolemy VIII 145 - 116 BCE ¨ 25
Obv: Zeus right.
Rev: Eagle left; Inscription to right. 		SNG 660v
Numidian Kings. Micipsa. Circa 148-118 BC. ¨ 26.5 mm (11.49 gm).
Obv: Laureate and bearded head left.
Horse galloping left; pellet below.
Ex: Tom Vossen 		SNG Copenhagen 508.
Carthage, Zeugitania 310 - 280 BCE ¨ 20
Obv: Head of Tanit left.
Rev: Horse standing right; palm behind.
Ex John Jencek 		SNG Cop 109

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Top photo credit: Metropolitan Museum; Neck-amphora (jar) with lid, ca. 540 B.C.; Archaic; black-figure - www.metmuseum.org
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