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CILICIA - UNCERTAIN PERSIAN SATRAP OF CILICIA - UNIDENTIFIED CILICIAN MINT - AR Tetartemorion, circa 390-360 BC
weight 0,19gr. ; silver Ø 5mm.
obv. Persian great king, wearing kidaris and kandys, in kneeling-running
stance right, holding dagger in right hand, bow in left
rev. Female head facing slightly right
Ziegler - ; Göktürk - ; SNG Paris - ; Slg.Klein - (cf. 645) ;
SNG Schweiz (Levante) - ; Babelon, Traité II, - ; McClean- ;
BMC - (cf. p.239, 11; pl.XXXIX, 11) ; Sunrise (cf. 98) RRR
Atractive specimen for this very tiny and extremely rare coin type.
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CILICIA - MAZDAYA (MAZAIOS), PERSIAN SATRAP OF CILICIA, 361-334 BC - UNIDENTIFIED CILICIAN MINT - AR Obol, circa 360-340 BC
weight 0,65gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.
obv. Head of Athena facing slightly to left, wearing triple-crested
Attic helmet, within circle of dots
rev. Persian king(?) standing right, holding staff and arrows,
filleted bow at shoulder
Mazdaya (Mazaios in Greek) was born round 385 BC as a son of a Persian nobleman. He played an important role during the conquest of the Achaemenid empire by the Macedonian king Alexander the Great. Mazdaya first known office is that of satrap of Cilicia, where he may have been appointed as early as 361; coins prove that later, the region known as Abar naharâ (″Across the river″ - modern Syria, Lebanon and Israel) was added to Mazdaya′s territories.
As there is no text on the coin, the attribution to Mazdaya
is not totally certain but only very likely. Extremely rare.
Göktürk - ; SNG Paris 475 ; Slg.Klein - ;
SNG Schweiz (Levante) - ; Sunrise 91 ;
Babelon, Traité II, 2, 736 ; McClean- ; BMC - RRR
Off-centre strik of obverse.
Attractive specimen of this interesting type.
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CILICIA - MAZDAYA (MAZAIOS), PERSIAN SATRAP OF CILICIA, 361-334 BC - UNIDENTIFIED CILICIAN MINT - AR Obol, circa 360-340 BC
weight 0,75gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.
obv. Head of Great King of Persia right, wearing a curved-topped crown
and a hoop earring; border of large dots
rev. Forepart of Pegasos to right
As there is no text on the coin, the attribution to Mazdaya
is not totally certain but only very likely. Very rare.
Mazdaya (Mazaios in Greek) was born round 385 BC as a son of a Persian nobleman. He played an important role during the conquest of the Achaemenid empire by the Macedonian king Alexander the Great. Mazdaya first known office is that of satrap of Cilicia, where he may have been appointed as early as 361; coins prove that later, the region known as Abar naharâ (″Across the river″ - modern Syria, Lebanon and Israel) was added to Mazdaya′s territories.
As satrap, he fought against the Phoenicians of Sidon, who had revolted and were supported by the pharaoh of Egypt, Nectanebo II, and 4,000 mercenaries commanded by the Greek commander Mentor of Rhodes. The coins with the Aramaic legend Mazdaï all belong to these years. Under king Darius III Codomannus (reigned 336-330 BC), Mazdaya appears to have been promoted: he gave up Cilicia and may have received in return Birît nârim (″Between the rivers″). The Greeks called this country Mesopotamia; together with Syria, it was sometimes called Athurâ or Assyria. Mazdaya must have been one of the most important officials in the Achaemenid empire. He was promised in marriage to the king′s daughter Barsine, who is also called Statira.
In 334, Alexander the Great invaded the Achaemenid empire; he defeated a large Persian army in the battle of Issus (333) and conquered Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt during the next year. Meanwhile, the Persians were building a new army. Because Mazdaya is not mentioned by the Alexander historians, it has been argued that Mazdaya was, at this moment, also satrap of Babylonia and had to guard Darius′ back. In August 331, Mazdaya commanded a small cavalry army near Thapsacus, a ford in the Euphrates. Although Alexander could cross the river without any losses, Mazdaya was able to obstruct his way to Babylon and made the invader take the road through the north of Mesopotamia; this forced Alexander to go to Assyria, where king Darius was ready with a large army. The decisive battle took place at Gaugamela on 1 October 331, and although Mazdaya fought bravely on the Persian right wing, his king′s flight made the Persian army collapse. After this defeat, the enemies of Persia could invade Babylonia. When Alexander reached Sippar, he announced that Babylon would not be plundered, after which Mazdaya surrendered the great city. Alexander entered the splendid capital of the ancient Near East in October. Mazdaya entertained the new king in Babylon and gave him advise. In return, Alexander appointed him as satrap of Babylonia; he was the first Persian in Alexander′s empire to receive such an important office. Mazdaya must have done his job well, because in the next years there were many similar appointments. He must have played a very important role, convincing his compatriots that after Gaugamela, it was better to join than to fight the invaders. He died in 328 and left at least two sons: Ardu-Bêl and Vidarna took part in Alexander′s campaigns in the east. The oldest (who is called Artiboles, Antibelus or Brochubelus in Greek sources) announced to Alexander that Darius III had been arrested; he and his brother, also known as Hydarnes, were appointed in an elite cavalry unit in 324.
Ziegler - ; Göktürk - ; SNG Paris 482-4 ; Slg.Klein 654 ;
SNG Schweiz (Levante) 232 ; Winzer 3.2 ; Sunrise 102 ;
Babelon, Traité II, 2, 737 ; McClean- ;
BMC p.176 (Tarsos), no.90 (Pl.XXXII, 10) RR
Wonderful coin of fine style and with attractive toning.
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CILICIA - UNCERTAIN PERSIAN SATRAP OF CILICIA - UNIDENTIFIED CILICIAN MINT - AR Obol, circa 379-362 BC
weight 0,69gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.
obv. Facing bust of female with curly hair,
wearing a cloak which is at the upper end tied together
rev. Bust of Aphrodite right, wearing tainia, earring and
pearl necklace, her hair in plaited queue
Time of Pharnabazos (379-374 BC) & Datames (378-362 BC).
Babelon, Traité II, 2, 600 (Nagidos) ; SNG.Levante 217 (Incerti) ;
SNG.Paris 310 (Tarsos) ; SNG.von Aulock 5419 (Incerti) ;
Gökturk - ; BMC p. 239, 3 (Pl.XXXIX, 12) R
Wonderful coin of excellent style, with fine details. Rare.
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CILICIA, AIGEAI - AE 21 or dichalkon, circa 120-83 BC
weight 6,18gr. ; bronze Ø 21mm.
obv. Turreted, draped, and veiled bust of Tyche right
with circle of dots
rev. Bridled horse′s head left, AIΓEAIΩN above,
monogram on right
On the obverse countermark ″cornucopiae″.
Aigeai was a town on the coast of ancient Cilicia, on the north side of the Bay of Issus. It is now separated from the outlet of the Pyramus (the modern Ceyhan) by a long narrow estuary called Gulf of Alexandretta. In Strabo′s time it was a small city with a port. Aigeai was a Greek town, but the origin of it is unknown. A Greek inscription of the Roman period has been discovered there; and under the Roman dominion it was a place of some importance. Tacitus calls it Aegeae. It was Christianised at an early date, and while no longer retaining a residential bishop, remains a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church, under the name of Aegeae. Its site is located near the modern Yumurtalık.
BMC- (cf. 1) ; SNG.von Aulock- (cf. 8663) ; SNG.Copenhagen 28 ;
SNG.Schweiz (Levante) 1633 ; SNG.Paris - ; cf. Sear 5513
attractive dark patina
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CILICIA, AIGEAI - AE 22 or dichalkon, circa 120-83 BC
weight 8,12gr. ; bronze Ø 22mm.
obv. Turreted, draped, and veiled bust of Tyche right
rev. Bridled horse′s head left, AIΓEAIΩN THΣ IEΡAΣ above,
KAI AYTONOMOY below; ΡNTΔ-monogram in right field
On the obverse countermark: ″head of Silenos right″.
Aigeai was a town on the coast of ancient Cilicia, on the north side of the Bay of Issus. It is now separated from the outlet of the Pyramus (the modern Ceyhan) by a long narrow estuary called Gulf of Alexandretta. In Strabo′s time it was a small city with a port. Aigeai was a Greek town, but the origin of it is unknown. A Greek inscription of the Roman period has been discovered there; and under the Roman dominion it was a place of some importance. Tacitus calls it Aegeae. It was Christianised at an early date, and while no longer retaining a residential bishop, remains a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church, under the name of Aegeae. Its site is located near the modern Yumurtalık.
BMC- (cf. 2) ; SNG.von Aulock- (cf. 5445) ; SNG.Copenhagen 29 ;
SNG.Schweiz (Levante)- (cf.1663) ; SNG.Paris 2300 ; Waddington 4064 ;
Bloesch 159-163 ; 52 ; Sear- (cf. 5515)
dark patina
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CILICIA, AIGEAI - AE 24, circa 41-54 AD (time of Claudius)
weight 8,04gr. ; bronze Ø 24mm.
obv. Draped bust of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet
rev. Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae,
AIΓEAIΩN in right field, above, ΔIO / Ξ in left field
Aigeai was a town on the coast of ancient Cilicia, on the north side of the Bay of Issus. It is now separated from the outlet of the Pyramus (the modern Ceyhan) by a long narrow estuary called Gulf of Alexandretta. In Strabo′s time it was a small city with a port. Aigeai was a Greek town, but the origin of it is unknown. A Greek inscription of the Roman period has been discovered there; and under the Roman dominion it was a place of some importance. Tacitus calls it Aegeae. It was Christianised at an early date, and while no longer retaining a residential bishop, remains a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church, under the name of Aegeae. Its site is located near the modern Yumurtalık.
BMC- ; SNG.von Aulock- ; SNG.Copenhagen - (cf. 32) ;
SNG.Schweiz (Levante) - (cf. suppl.401) ; SNG.Paris- (cf. 2318) ;
cf. RPC 4038 ; Sear GIC- RRR
Lights traces of oxidation. Dark patina. Extremely rare.
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CILICIA, ANAZARBOS - AE 22, 2nd / 1st century BC
weight 8,04gr. ; bronze Ø 24mm.
obv. Laureate head of Zeus right
rev. Zeus seated left, holding Nike and sceptre,
TAYK-monogram before, AИAZAΡBEΩN behind.
Variety; inverted N in ANAZAΡBEΩN. Rare.
The old Cilician city of Anazarbos was founded by the Assyrians and situated on the main stream of the Pyramus river (present Ceyhan River). The original name of the place was Kyinda and afterwards Diocaesarea. In 19 BC the city was refounded by the Romans and visited by emperor Augustus. It got the name Anazarbos or Caesarea ad Anazarbos. Where the name Anazarbos comes from is not really known. The city developed prosporous and became one of the most important en biggest cities in eastern Anatolia. On the division of Cilicia it became the chief place of the Roman province of Cilicia Secunda, with the title of Metropolis. During the reign of Justinianus I (527-565) the city was destroyed by a heavy earthquake, but the city was rebuilt and renamed Justinianopolis. Again the city was detroyed by an earthquake during the reign of Justinus II (565-578). Again the city was rebuilt, and now renamed Justinopolis. But the old name persisted, and when Thoros I, king of Lesser Armenia, made it his capital early in the 12th century, it was known as Anazarva. The Mamluk Empire of Egypt finally destroyed the city in 1374. Nowadays still remain a mass of ruins of this once important city; a fine triumphal arch, the colonnades of two streets, a gymnasium, a stadium and a theatre lie outside the walls to the south, the remains of the acropolis fortifications, the remains of three aqueducts and a necropolis.
BMC- ; SNG.von Aulock 5470var. ; SNG.Copenhagen - ;
SNG.Schweiz (Levante) 1363var. ; SNG.Paris 2002var. ;
Ziegler, Anazarbos 6,6var. ; Waddington 4098var. ; Sear 5522var.
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CILICIA, ELAIUSSA-SEBASTE - AE 19, 1st century BC
weight 4,65gr. ; bronze Ø 19mm.
obv. Head of Zeus with tainia right
rev. Nikè advancing left, holding wreath,
EΛAIOYΣIΩN, Σ and APX-monogram in front
Elaiussa Sebaste was an ancient Cilician city on the sloped of Taurus mountains. The city was founded in the 2nd century BC on a small island connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway. Some historians believe that the city was the gateway through which olive entered in Asia Minor because Elaiussa means ″olive″ in the old language and there was lots of cultivation of olives in the area. The city of Elaiussa was flourished during the rule of the Cappadocian king Archelaus under the reign of the Roman emperor Augustus. The city was moved to the mainland by the king Archelaus and called as Sebaste, which meant ″imperial city″. The city lived its heydays after the Cilician shores were cleaned from the pirates by the Roman emperor Vespasianus in 74 AD, but started to loose its importance towards the 3rd century AD due to incursions of the Sasanians and Isaurians. During the Byzantine period it became a Christian city and many churches were built, and finally the city survived until 6th century AD when its neighbour Corycos (Kizkalesi) began to flourish thus Elaiussa Sebaste was abandoned. The site, located near Ayas town between Silifke and Erdemli towns, is on the slopes of Taurus mountains and has one of the best preserved necropolis in Anatolia, a small theater, baths, cisterns, aquaducts, and many reliefs and other archaeological ruins.
BMC 5-8 ; SNG.Copenhagen 417 ; SNG.von Aulock- ;
SNG.Schweiz (Levante) - ; SNG.Paris 1133 ; Waddington 4706
Dark patina.
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HIEROPOLIS-KASTABALA - AE 19, 2nd /1st century BC
weight 5,22gr. ; bronze Ø 191mm.
obv. Turreted and veiled head of Tyche right; monogram to left
rev. Goddess seated left on throne, holding sceptre; under throne, eagle standing left
IEPOΠOΛITΩN in field to right, TΩΝ ΠΡΟC TΩI / ΠΥΡΑΜΩI in field to left
Kastabala was one of the cities of the Late Hitite period, situated in the valley of the Pyramus river (modern Ceyhan river). The name Kastabala was probably of Luwian origin. The city was captured by Achaemenid Empire and became part of the Cilician satrapy and then by Alexander the Great. During the Hellenistic age it was called Hieropolis. During the Roman Empire the city was a part of Cappadocia Province. But after the Cilician pirates were defeated, Tarkondimotos, a pardoned pirate leader, became the governor of the region. The city was important enough in the Roman province of Cilicia Secunda to become a suffragan of its capital Anazarbus′s Metropolitan Archbishopric, but would fade.
BMC 1 ; SNG.von Aulock 5568 ; SNG.Copenhagen 141 ;
Ziegler 1273-6 ; SNG.Paris 2209 ; SNG Levante 1564
Dark patina.
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CILICIA, ISSOS - TIRIBAZOS, SATRAP, 386-380 BC - AR Stater, 386 - 380 BC
weight 9,77gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.
obv. Hercules standing right, leaning lefthand on club,
and with lion-skin draped over right arm
rev. Baäl standing left, holding eagle and scepter
The history of Issos goes back to the Neolithic age, about 5000 BC the Hittites called the place Izziya. The city was strategically located on a spit of land in the Mediterranean Sea, at the head of the Gulf of Issos, not far from the Syrian border. In the history, the town was famous for the battle of Issos, 5 and 6 November 333 BC, when Alexander the great defeated the Persian King Darius III. The city lost much of its importance after the foundation of Alexandreia ad Issum, south of Issos. The city was abandoned around 50 BC, probably after an earthquake.
Tiribazos was born ca. 440 BC. He made a career as a military man and served as a satrap under the Persian King Artaxerxes II (450-358 BC). He was highly regarded by Artaxerxes II, and when he was present, so Xenophon tells us, no one else had the honour of helping the sovereign to mount his horse. Until 395 BC, Tiribazos served as the hyparch (satrap) of Western Armenia. He succeeded Tithraustes as satrap of Western Asia (Sardis). He was holding this office when, in 393 BC, Antalkidas was sent to negotiate, through him, a peace for Sparta with the Persian king. In 387 BC he also led the peace negotiations with Athens, which which led to the Peace of Antalkidas.
In 386/385 BC, Tiribazos was made joint commander of the Persian expedition against Evagoras I (r. 411–374 BC), the king of Salamis in Cyprus. He was assigned to the lead the Persian navy, while Orontes I, the satrap of Armenia, led the land forces. Tiribazus reportedly knew Orontes from his early days in Armenia, where he had served as the hyparch of its western part till 395 BC. By 382 BC, preparations for the campaign had been made, with a battle taking place the following year near the Cyprian city of Kition, where the Persians emerged victorious due to their larger fleet. Evagoras withdrew to Salamis, which he started fortifying.
Failing to gain help from the Egyptian pharaoh Hakor (r. 392/1–379/8 BC), Evagoras started to negotiate a peace treaty with Tiribazos, offering to withdraw from all the cities of Cyprus except Salamis, and pay a fixed yearly tribute to the Persian crown. Tiribazos was inclined to accept the offer, but the negotiations failed after Evagoras refused to also cede his status as king. The negotiations between Evagoras and Tiribazos led to Orontes to send a number of accusations to Artaxerxes II, which mentioned that Tiribazos was deliberately prolonging the war and planning to declare independence. Artaxerxes II was unable to make a proper assessment due to his distance, but could not risk Tiribazos ruin the recent Persian accomplishments, and as a result had him jailed in Susa, heavily weakening the position of the Persian expedition.
Glos, who was the father-in-law of Tiribazos, fearing for his own position, started plotting against Artaxerxes II and secretly making peace with Egypt and Sparta. Evagoras started to help from the Spartans and gave Glos information that would jeopardize Orontes′ position. Under the threat of blackmail, Orontes was forced to make peace with Evagoras in 380 BC. The terms of the treaty was that Evagoras was obligated to pay tribute to the Persian king, but as a subordinate king rather than a slave. Artaxerxes II did not deem the conclusion of the war satisfactory, as it had cost 15,000 talents, and a result Orontes fell into disfavour. Meanwhile, Tiribazos was pardoned and restored to his former position.
Tiribazos now stood higher than ever in the royal favour, and received a promise of the hand of Amestris, the king′s daughter. Artaxerxes, however, reneged on this arrangement, and married Amestris himself. When ca. 370 BC King Artaxerxes reneged on a pledge to Tiribazos once more, this time with respect to Atossa, the youngest of the king′s princesses, Tiribazos could no longer remain loyal to the king and incited Darius, the son of Artaxerxes, to join him in a plot against the king′s life. Tiribazos′ plans were betrayed to Artaxerxes by a eunuch, and the conspirators were found out. Tiribazos offered a desperate resistance to the guards who endeavored to arrest him, and was slain with a javelin. Tiribazos had a son, Arpates, who later killed Artaxerxes′s favored son, Arsames.
BMC- ; SNG.Paris 418 ; SNG.von Aulock 5603var. ;
SNG.Levante 174var. ; Sear- RRR
Some minor roughness on reverse. Extremely rare.
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CILICIA, ISSOS - TIME OF TIRIBAZOS, satrap, 386-380 BC - AR stater, ca.380 BC
weight 10,21gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Head of Athena three-quarter facing to left,
wearing triple-crested helmet
rev. Bare head of young Herakles right, IΣI before
The history of Issos goes back to the Neolithic age, about 5000 BC the Hittites called the place Izziya. The city was strategically located on a spit of land in the Mediterranean Sea, at the head of the Gulf of Issos, not far from the Syrian border. In the history, the town was famous for the battle of Issos, 5 and 6 November 333 BC, when Alexander the great defeated the Persian King Darius III. The city lost much of its importance after the foundation of Alexandreia ad Issum, south of Issos. The city was abandoned around 50 BC, probably after an earthquake.
Tiribazos was born ca. 440 BC. He made a career as a military man and served as a satrap under the Persian King Artaxerxes II (450-358 BC). He was highly regarded by Artaxerxes II, and when he was present, so Xenophon tells us, no one else had the honour of helping the sovereign to mount his horse. Until 395 BC, Tiribazos served as the hyparch (satrap) of Western Armenia. He succeeded Tithraustes as satrap of Western Asia (Sardis). He was holding this office when, in 393 BC, Antalkidas was sent to negotiate, through him, a peace for Sparta with the Persian king. In 387 BC he also led the peace negotiations with Athens, which which led to the Peace of Antalkidas.
In 386/385 BC, Tiribazos was made joint commander of the Persian expedition against Evagoras I (r. 411–374 BC), the king of Salamis in Cyprus. He was assigned to the lead the Persian navy, while Orontes I, the satrap of Armenia, led the land forces. Tiribazus reportedly knew Orontes from his early days in Armenia, where he had served as the hyparch of its western part till 395 BC. By 382 BC, preparations for the campaign had been made, with a battle taking place the following year near the Cyprian city of Kition, where the Persians emerged victorious due to their larger fleet. Evagoras withdrew to Salamis, which he started fortifying.
Failing to gain help from the Egyptian pharaoh Hakor (r. 392/1–379/8 BC), Evagoras started to negotiate a peace treaty with Tiribazos, offering to withdraw from all the cities of Cyprus except Salamis, and pay a fixed yearly tribute to the Persian crown. Tiribazos was inclined to accept the offer, but the negotiations failed after Evagoras refused to also cede his status as king. The negotiations between Evagoras and Tiribazos led to Orontes to send a number of accusations to Artaxerxes II, which mentioned that Tiribazos was deliberately prolonging the war and planning to declare independence. Artaxerxes II was unable to make a proper assessment due to his distance, but could not risk Tiribazos ruin the recent Persian accomplishments, and as a result had him jailed in Susa, heavily weakening the position of the Persian expedition.
Glos, who was the father-in-law of Tiribazos, fearing for his own position, started plotting against Artaxerxes II and secretly making peace with Egypt and Sparta. Evagoras started to help from the Spartans and gave Glos information that would jeopardize Orontes′ position. Under the threat of blackmail, Orontes was forced to make peace with Evagoras in 380 BC. The terms of the treaty was that Evagoras was obligated to pay tribute to the Persian king, but as a subordinate king rather than a slave. Artaxerxes II did not deem the conclusion of the war satisfactory, as it had cost 15,000 talents, and a result Orontes fell into disfavour. Meanwhile, Tiribazos was pardoned and restored to his former position.
Tiribazos now stood higher than ever in the royal favour, and received a promise of the hand of Amestris, the king′s daughter. Artaxerxes, however, reneged on this arrangement, and married Amestris himself. When ca. 370 BC King Artaxerxes reneged on a pledge to Tiribazos once more, this time with respect to Atossa, the youngest of the king′s princesses, Tiribazos could no longer remain loyal to the king and incited Darius, the son of Artaxerxes, to join him in a plot against the king′s life. Tiribazos′ plans were betrayed to Artaxerxes by a eunuch, and the conspirators were found out. Tiribazos offered a desperate resistance to the guards who endeavored to arrest him, and was slain with a javelin. Tiribazos had a son, Arpates, who later killed Artaxerxes′s favored son, Arsames.
BMC- ; SNG.Paris 414 ; SNG.von Aulock - ; SNG.Copenhagen- ;
McClean- ; Jameson- ; SNG.Levante - ; Sear 5555 ;
Kraay (Archaic and Classical Greek Coins), pl. 59, no.1029 ;
Brindley Group 6 a ; Casabonne Pl. VI, 18 and page 26, no. 6 RRR
An extremely rare coin type of fine classical style.
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CILICIA, KELENDERIS - AR Stater, circa 425-400 BC
weight 10,61gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.
obv. Naked rider (Ephebos) with dagger in left hand, seated sideways
on horse prancing left, from which he is about to dismount,
Π below horse
rev. Goat kneeling left, head turned to right, KEΛEN above
On this coin we see the horse game Kalpé virtulized. In the 5th century BC, from the 71st until the 84th Olympiade this was one of the most important and popular sports during the Olympic Games. It is very good possible that one of the citizens of Kelenderis was victorious at the Olympic games. In any case, the prominence of this type, beginning circa 450 BC and continued to be struck until circa 335 BC, suggests it was of particular significance to the city.
Some minor flatness on the higher parts, but an exceptionally beautiful
piece for the type. Nearly as struck. Very rare this nice.
cf. Künker Auktion 367, lot 7266 in vf/xf (€ 4.000 + 25%)
cf. BMC 10 ; cf. SNG.von Aulock 5622 ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 77 ;
cf. SNG.Levante 19 ; cf. SNG.Paris 63 ; cf. Sear 5529 RR
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CILICIA, KELENDERIS - AR Stater, circa 425-400 BC
weight 9,16gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.
obv. Nude rider (Ephebos) with whip in left hand, holding bridle
on near side of horse with his right hand, seated sideways
on horse prancing left, from which he is about to dismount
rev. Goat kneeling left, looking back, KEΛE(N) and ivy-spray above
On this coin we see the horse game Kalpé virtulized. In the 5th century BC, from the 71st until the 84th Olympiade this was one of the most important and popular sports during the Olympic Games. It is very good possible that one of the citizens of Kelenderis was victorious at the Olympic games. In any case, the prominence of this type, beginning circa 450 BC and continued to be struck until circa 335 BC, suggests it was of particular significance to the city.
BMC 10var. ; SNG.von Aulock 5625 ; SNG.Copenhagen - (cf. 76) ;
cf. Sear 5529 ; SNG.Tübingen 4545var. ; SNG.Levante - ; SNG.Paris 54 ;
Ziegler - ; Babelon, Traité II 1472 (Pl. CXL, 4)
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CILICIA, KELENDERIS - AR Stater, circa 425-400 BC
weight 10,80gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.
obv. Nude rider (Ephebos) with whip in left hand, holding bridle
on near side of horse with his right hand, seated sideways
on horse prancing left, from which he is about to dismount,
within dotted circle
rev. Goat kneeling right, looking back, KEΛEN above
On this coin we see the horse game Kalpé virtulized. In the 5th century BC, from the 71st until the 84th Olympiade this was one of the most important and popular sports during the Olympic Games. It is very good possible that one of the citizens of Kelenderis was victorious at the Olympic games. In any case, the prominence of this type, beginning circa 450 BC and continued to be struck until circa 335 BC, suggests it was of particular significance to the city.
BMC 10var. ; SNG.von Aulock 5628 ; SNG.Copenhagen - (cf. 77) ;
cf. Sear 5527 ; SNG.Tübingen 4545var. ; SNG.Levante 21 ;
SNG.Paris 64 ; Ziegler - ; McClean 9056 ; Weber 7512 ;
Kraay, Kelenderis 20u (Numismatic Chronicle, London 1962) ;
Babelon, Traité II --
very attractive specimen with appealing toning
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CILICIA, KELENDERIS - AR Stater, circa 425-400 BC
weight 10,57gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
obv. Nude rider (Ephebos) with whip in left hand, holding bridle
on near side of horse with his right hand, seated sideways
on horse prancing left, from which he is about to dismount,
A below, within dotted circle
rev. Goat kneeling left, looking back, KEΛ and ivy-spray above
On this coin we see the horse game Kalpé virtulized. In the 5th century BC, from the 71st until the 84th Olympiade this was one of the most important and popular sports during the Olympic Games. It is very good possible that one of the citizens of Kelenderis was victorious at the Olympic games. In any case, the prominence of this type, beginning circa 450 BC and continued to be struck until circa 335 BC, suggests it was of particular significance to the city.
BMC - (cf. 10) ; SNG.von Aulock 5617 ; Chandon 592 ; McClean- ;
Numismatic Chronicle, London 1962, 4b ; SNG.Copenhagen - (cf. 76) ;
cf. Sear 5529 ; SNG.Tübingen 4545var. ; SNG.Levante - ; SNG.Paris 46 ;
Ziegler - ; Weber 7513var. ; Babelon, Traité II - (cf. 1472, Pl. CXL, 4)
Oval shaped planchet and some weakness of strike.
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CILICIA, KELENDERIS - AR 1/3 Stater, circa 425-400 BC
weight 3,46gr. ; silver Ø 13mm.
obv. Naked rider with dagger in left hand, seated sideways
on horse prancing left, from which he is about to dismount,
Π below horse′s frontlegs
rev. Goat kneeling left, head turned to right, KEΛEN above
On this coin we see the horse game Kalpé virtulized. In the 5th century BC, from the 71st until the 84th Olympiade this was one of the most important and popular sports during the Olympic Games.
BMC - (cf. 12) ; cf. SNG.von Aulock 5633 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ;
SNG.Levante- ; cf. SNG.Paris 57 ; Sear- RRR
The 1/3 staters of Kelenderis are much more rare than the staters of this city,
and probably issued for only a short time. Extremely rare.
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CILICIA, KELENDERIS - AR Obol, 420-400 BC
weight 0,80gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Forepart of pegasos with curved wings to right
rev. Goat kneeling right, head turned left, KEΛ above
BMC 28 ; SNG.von Aulock 5635 ; SNG.Copenhagen 88 ;
cf. Slg.Klein 658 ; SNG.Levante 27var. ; SNG.France 2,80-85 ;
McClean 9059var. ; Babelon, Traité II, page 906, 1480 (cf. Pl. CXL, 9)
SNG.Tübingen 4546var. ; Ziegler 242var. ; cf. Sear 5536
Wonderful coin with fine details and attractive patina. Great style.
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CILICIA, KELENDERIS - AR Stater, circa 410-390 BC
weight 10,60gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Nude rider (Ephebos) with whip in left hand, holding bridle
on near side of horse with his right hand, seated sideways
on horse prancing right, from which he is about to dismount,
within dotted circle
rev. Goat kneeling left, looking back, KEΛEN above
On this coin we see the horse game Kalpé virtulized. In the 5th century BC, from the 71st until the 84th Olympiade this was one of the most important and popular sports during the Olympic Games. It is very good possible that one of the citizens of Kelenderis was victorious at the Olympic games. In any case, the prominence of this type, beginning circa 450 BC and continued to be struck until circa 335 BC, suggests it was of particular significance to the city.
Wonderful piece with excellent details and attractive toning.
Magnificent detailed goat made by an artist die cutter. Very rare.
cf. Künker Auktion 312, Lot 2507 (in xf with worn obverse dies; € 7.500 + 23%)
BMC 25var. ; SNG.von Aulock - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; Sear - (cf. 5535) ;
SNG.Tübingen - ; SNG.Levante - ; SNG.Paris - ; Ziegler - ; Weber - ;
McClean 9057var. ; cf. Babelon, Traité II 1477 (Pl.CXL, 7) RR
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CILICIA, KELENDERIS - AR Stater, circa 410-390 BC
weight 10,99gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
obv. Nude rider (Ephebos) with whip in left hand, holding bridle
on near side of horse with his right hand, seated sideways
on horse prancing right, from which he is about to dismount
rev. Goat kneeling right, looking back, KEΛE above
On this coin we see the horse game Kalpé virtulized. In the 5th century BC, from the 71st until the 84th Olympiade this was one of the most important and popular sports during the Olympic Games. It is very good possible that one of the citizens of Kelenderis was victorious at the Olympic games. In any case, the prominence of this type, beginning circa 450 BC and continued to be struck until circa 335 BC, suggests it was of particular significance to the city.
BMC 6var. ; SNG.von Aulock 5630var. ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 81 ; cf. Sear 5533 ;
SNG.Tübingen- ; SNG.Levante 26var. ; SNG.Paris 69var. ; Ziegler 241var. ;
Casabonne type 4 ; Babelon, Traité II 1473var. (Pl. CXL, 5) ; De Luynes 2774var.
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CILICIA, KELENDERIS - AR Stater, circa 410-390 BC
weight 10,28gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.
obv. Nude rider (Ephebos) with whip in left hand, holding bridle
on near side of horse with his right hand, seated sideways
on horse prancing right, from which he is about to dismount,
within dotted circle
rev. Goat kneeling left, looking back, KE before and ΛEN above
On this coin we see the horse game Kalpé virtulized. In the 5th century BC, from the 71st until the 84th Olympiade this was one of the most important and popular sports during the Olympic Games. It is very good possible that one of the citizens of Kelenderis was victorious at the Olympic games. In any case, the prominence of this type, beginning circa 450 BC and continued to be struck until circa 335 BC, suggests it was of particular significance to the city.
This type with the goat kneeling to the left and with the interrupted city name beginning at 8 o′clock is very rare. It is not mentioned in the relevant reference works. Extremely rare.
cf. Künker Auktion 312, Lot 2507 in xf with worn obverse dies (€ 7.500 + 23%)
BMC 25var. ; SNG.von Aulock - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; Sear - (cf. 5535) ;
SNG.Tübingen - ; SNG.Levante - ; SNG.Paris - (cf. 75) ; Ziegler - ;
Weber - ; McClean 9057var. ; cf. Babelon, Traité II 1477 (Pl.CXL, 7) RRR
struck with a bit worn dies
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CILICIA, KELENDERIS - AR Stater, circa 375-333 BC
weight 10,22gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Nude rider with whip in left hand, holding bridle
on near side of horse with his right hand, seated sideways
on horse prancing right, from which he is about to dismount,
monogram below (under countermark), within dotted circle
rev. Goat kneeling right, looking back, KEΛEN above,
monogram below (under countermark)
On this coin we see the horse game Kalpé virtulized. In the 5th century BC, from the 71st until the 84th Olympiade this was one of the most important and popular sports during the Olympic Games. It is very good possible that one of the citizens of Kelenderis was victorious at the Olympic games. In any case, the prominence of this type, beginning circa 450 BC and continued to be struck until circa 335 BC, suggests it was of particular significance to the city.
On the reverse countermark ′bull walking right, shield above′ (probably from the city Issos or Tarsos). This countermark is usually found on staters from Cilicia and the origin must therefore also be sought there. We also know similar countermarks for the Pamphylia region, but then the bull has the letters ′LUY′ (Aramaic for Ba′al) above instead of the shield. It is clearly that the bull has to be associated with Ba′al. The mark could have been applied to show the coin had been accepted as a gift to the god. While purely a matter of conjecture it would seem possible that this mark was applied to certify the coin as appropriate for donation to the temple of Ba′al. Ba′al was widely worshipped. In Cilicia, the cities of Issos and Tarsos played an important role in Ba′al worship, which is also reflected on the coins of these cities. Perhaps this countermark also has its origin in one of these two cities. Highly interesting and very rare.
BMC - ; SNG.von Aulock - (cf. 5637-5638) ; McClean- (cf. 9054) ;
SNG.Copenhagen - (cf. 82) ; cf. Sear 5533 ; SNG.Tübingen - ;
SNG.Levante - (cf. 26) ; SNG.Paris 72 ; Ziegler -. ;
Babelon, Traité II 1489 (Pl. CXL, 16) RR
A fascinating coin, with attractive toning.
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CILICIA, MALLOS - AR Stater, circa 425-385 BC
weight 10,92gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.
obv. Winged male figure (Faravahar / Ashur / Ahura Mazda)
in running-kneeling stance left, holding solar disk
rev. Swan standing left, with wings uplifted, MAP above,
all within round incuse
The Faravahar also known as the Foruhar or the Farre Kiyâni, is one of the best-known symbols of Zoroastrianism, a Persian religion. It shown us a winged male figure, holding a solar disk in his hands. The pre-Zoroastrian use of the symbol originates as the winged sun used by various powers of the Ancient Near East, primarily those of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It is important to note the symbol is neither Zoroastrian nor Persian in its origin. It originates as a Mesopotamian Assyrian depiction of the wing deity Ashur. The Zoroastrian adoption of the symbol comes from its prevalence in Neo-Assyrian iconography. This Assyrian image often includes their Tree of Life, which includes the god Ashur on a winged disk. The god Ashur was worshipped mainly in northern Mesopotamia, and parts of north-east Syria and south-east Asia Minor which constituted old Assyria. The faravahar was depicted on the tombs of Achaemenid kings, such as Darius the Great (r. 522–486 BC) and Artaxerxes III (r. 358–338 BC). The symbol was also used on some of the coin mints of the frataraka (satraps) of Persia and Persis in the late 5th until the early 2nd century BC. The originally Assyrian god Ashur is depicted in the form of the god Ahura Mazda at the time of the Achaemenids and late Persian dynasties.
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- ; Weber- ;
SNG.Schweiz (Levante) - ; McClean- ; Casabonne Type 2 var. ;
Babelon, Traité I - (cf. 1390) ; Sear- (cf. 5559) ;
SNG.Paris- (cf. 375) RR
Struck on a short thick and short flan. Very rare.
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CILICIA, MALLOS - AR Stater, circa 440-390 BC
weight 11,01gr. ; silver Ø 19mm.
obv. Winged male figure (Faravahar / Ashur / Ahura Mazda)
in running-kneeling stance left, holding solar disk
rev. Swan standing left, with wings uplifted, MAP above,
all within round incuse
The Faravahar also known as the Foruhar or the Farre Kiyâni, is one of the best-known symbols of Zoroastrianism, a Persian religion. It shown us a winged male figure, holding a solar disk in his hands. The pre-Zoroastrian use of the symbol originates as the winged sun used by various powers of the Ancient Near East, primarily those of Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It is important to note the symbol is neither Zoroastrian nor Persian in its origin. It originates as a Mesopotamian Assyrian depiction of the wing deity Ashur. The Zoroastrian adoption of the symbol comes from its prevalence in Neo-Assyrian iconography. This Assyrian image often includes their Tree of Life, which includes the god Ashur on a winged disk. The god Ashur was worshipped mainly in northern Mesopotamia, and parts of north-east Syria and south-east Asia Minor which constituted old Assyria. The faravahar was depicted on the tombs of Achaemenid kings, such as Darius the Great (r. 522–486 BC) and Artaxerxes III (r. 358–338 BC). The symbol was also used on some of the coin mints of the frataraka (satraps) of Persia and Persis in the late 5th until the early 2nd century BC. The originally Assyrian god Ashur is depicted in the form of the god Ahura Mazda at the time of the Achaemenids and late Persian dynasties.
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- ;
Weber- ; SNG.Schweiz (Levante) - ; McClean- ;
Babelon, Traité I - (cf. 1390) ; Sear- (cf. 5559) ;
Casabonne Type 2 var. ; SNG.Paris- (cf. 375) RR
Struck on a short thick and short flan. Very rare.
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CILICIA, MALLOS - TIRIBAZOS, SATRAP OF LYDIA, ca. 394-380 BC - AR Stater, ca. 388-386 BC
weight 9,63gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
obv. Head of Aphrodite right, wearing earring and necklace,
hair bound in ampyx and sphendone
rev. Head of satrap right, wearing satrapal headdress (bashlik),
surrounded by the legend; MAΛΛΩTHΣ
Tiribazos was born ca. 440 BC. He made a career as a military man and served as a satrap under the Persian King Artaxerxes II (450-358 BC). He was highly regarded by Artaxerxes II, and when he was present, so Xenophon tells us, no one else had the honour of helping the sovereign to mount his horse. Until 395 BC, Tiribazos served as the hyparch (satrap) of Western Armenia. He succeeded Tithraustes as satrap of Lydia (Western Asia, with Sardeis as capital). He was holding this office when, in 393 BC, Antalkidas was sent to negotiate, through him, a peace for Sparta with the Persian king. In 387 BC he also led the peace negotiations with Athens, which led to the Peace of Antalkidas.
The satrapy of Lydia included the following subdivisions:
• Lydia itself (Sardis and inland), including Ionia (Persian Yauna),
consisting of cities and islands historically Greek.
• Phrygia which included Mysia
• Caria which included Lycia.
• Thrace which also included Macedonia; called Skudra by the Persians.
In 386/385 BC, Tiribazos was made joint commander of the Persian expedition against Evagoras I (r. 411–374 BC), the king of Salamis in Cyprus. He was assigned to the lead the Persian navy, while Orontes I, the satrap of Armenia, led the land forces. Tiribazus reportedly knew Orontes from his early days in Armenia, where he had served as the hyparch of its western part till 395 BC. By 382 BC, preparations for the campaign had been made, with a battle taking place the following year near the Cyprian city of Kition, where the Persians emerged victorious due to their larger fleet. Evagoras withdrew to Salamis, which he started fortifying.
Failing to gain help from the Egyptian pharaoh Hakor (r. 392/1–379/8 BC), Evagoras started to negotiate a peace treaty with Tiribazos, offering to withdraw from all the cities of Cyprus except Salamis, and pay a fixed yearly tribute to the Persian crown. Tiribazos was inclined to accept the offer, but the negotiations failed after Evagoras refused to also cede his status as king. The negotiations between Evagoras and Tiribazos led to Orontes to send a number of accusations to Artaxerxes II, which mentioned that Tiribazos was deliberately prolonging the war and planning to declare independence. Artaxerxes II was unable to make a proper assessment due to his distance, but could not risk Tiribazos ruin the recent Persian accomplishments, and as a result had him jailed in Susa, heavily weakening the position of the Persian expedition.
Glos, who was the father-in-law of Tiribazos, fearing for his own position, started plotting against Artaxerxes II and secretly making peace with Egypt and Sparta. Evagoras started to help from the Spartans and gave Glos information that would jeopardize Orontes′ position. Under the threat of blackmail, Orontes was forced to make peace with Evagoras in 380 BC. The terms of the treaty was that Evagoras was obligated to pay tribute to the Persian king, but as a subordinate king rather than a slave. Artaxerxes II did not deem the conclusion of the war satisfactory, as it had cost 15,000 talents, and a result Orontes fell into disfavour. Meanwhile, Tiribazos was pardoned and restored to his former position.
Tiribazos now stood higher than ever in the royal favour, and received a promise of the hand of Amestris, the king′s daughter. Artaxerxes, however, reneged on this arrangement, and married Amestris himself. When ca. 370 BC King Artaxerxes reneged on a pledge to Tiribazos once more, this time with respect to Atossa, the youngest of the king′s princesses, Tiribazos could no longer remain loyal to the king and incited Darius, the son of Artaxerxes, to join him in a plot against the king′s life. Tiribazos′ plans were betrayed to Artaxerxes by a eunuch, and the conspirators were found out. Tiribazos offered a desperate resistance to the guards who endeavored to arrest him, and was slain with a javelin. Tiribazos had a son, Arpates, who later killed Artaxerxes′s favored son, Arsames.
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock 5717 ;
SNG.Schweiz (Levante) 150 ; Weber 7568var. ; McClean- ;
Babelon, Traité II, page 375, no.569 ; SNG.Paris 391var. ;
cf. Casabonne Series 2, Group D ; Franke-Hirmer 666 R
Very attractive specimen of wonderful classical style and
fine details. Rare.
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CILICIA, MALLOS - TIRIBAZOS, SATRAP OF LYDIA, ca. 394-380 BC - AR Stater, ca. 384-383 BC
weight 10,58gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.
obv. Baal standing half-left, holding eagle in extended right hand,
lotus-tipped scepter in left; MAΛ to left, TRBZW (in Aramaic) to right
rev. Ahura-Mazda facing, head right, body terminating in solar
disk with wings and tail feathers, holding up wreath in right hand,
lotus blossom in left.
Tiribazos was born ca. 440 BC. He made a career as a military man and served as a satrap under the Persian King Artaxerxes II (450-358 BC). He was highly regarded by Artaxerxes II, and when he was present, so Xenophon tells us, no one else had the honour of helping the sovereign to mount his horse. Until 395 BC, Tiribazos served as the hyparch (satrap) of Western Armenia. He succeeded Tithraustes as satrap of Lydia (Western Asia, with Sardeis as capital). He was holding this office when, in 393 BC, Antalkidas was sent to negotiate, through him, a peace for Sparta with the Persian king. In 387 BC he also led the peace negotiations with Athens, which led to the Peace of Antalkidas.
The satrapy of Lydia included the following subdivisions:
• Lydia itself (Sardis and inland), including Ionia (Persian Yauna),
consisting of cities and islands historically Greek.
• Phrygia which included Mysia
• Caria which included Lycia.
• Thrace which also included Macedonia; called Skudra by the Persians.
In 386/385 BC, Tiribazos was made joint commander of the Persian expedition against Evagoras I (r. 411–374 BC), the king of Salamis in Cyprus. He was assigned to the lead the Persian navy, while Orontes I, the satrap of Armenia, led the land forces. Tiribazus reportedly knew Orontes from his early days in Armenia, where he had served as the hyparch of its western part till 395 BC. By 382 BC, preparations for the campaign had been made, with a battle taking place the following year near the Cyprian city of Kition, where the Persians emerged victorious due to their larger fleet. Evagoras withdrew to Salamis, which he started fortifying.
Failing to gain help from the Egyptian pharaoh Hakor (r. 392/1–379/8 BC), Evagoras started to negotiate a peace treaty with Tiribazos, offering to withdraw from all the cities of Cyprus except Salamis, and pay a fixed yearly tribute to the Persian crown. Tiribazos was inclined to accept the offer, but the negotiations failed after Evagoras refused to also cede his status as king. The negotiations between Evagoras and Tiribazos led to Orontes to send a number of accusations to Artaxerxes II, which mentioned that Tiribazos was deliberately prolonging the war and planning to declare independence. Artaxerxes II was unable to make a proper assessment due to his distance, but could not risk Tiribazos ruin the recent Persian accomplishments, and as a result had him jailed in Susa, heavily weakening the position of the Persian expedition.
Glos, who was the father-in-law of Tiribazos, fearing for his own position, started plotting against Artaxerxes II and secretly making peace with Egypt and Sparta. Evagoras started to help from the Spartans and gave Glos information that would jeopardize Orontes′ position. Under the threat of blackmail, Orontes was forced to make peace with Evagoras in 380 BC. The terms of the treaty was that Evagoras was obligated to pay tribute to the Persian king, but as a subordinate king rather than a slave. Artaxerxes II did not deem the conclusion of the war satisfactory, as it had cost 15,000 talents, and a result Orontes fell into disfavour. Meanwhile, Tiribazos was pardoned and restored to his former position.
Tiribazos now stood higher than ever in the royal favour, and received a promise of the hand of Amestris, the king′s daughter. Artaxerxes, however, reneged on this arrangement, and married Amestris himself. When ca. 370 BC King Artaxerxes reneged on a pledge to Tiribazos once more, this time with respect to Atossa, the youngest of the king′s princesses, Tiribazos could no longer remain loyal to the king and incited Darius, the son of Artaxerxes, to join him in a plot against the king′s life. Tiribazos′ plans were betrayed to Artaxerxes by a eunuch, and the conspirators were found out. Tiribazos offered a desperate resistance to the guards who endeavored to arrest him, and was slain with a javelin. Tiribazos had a son, Arpates, who later killed Artaxerxes′s favored son, Arsames.
A very rare and exceptional greek silver stater of
Mallos with a superb depiction of Ahura-Mazda.
cf. CNG Triton XVIII, 51
(nearly xf, struck with worn obverse die: USD 13.000 + 20%)
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock 5713 ;
Babelon, Traité II, no. 580var. (Pl.CVII, 18) ; McClean - ;
Casabonne Series 1 ; SNG France 389-390 ; Weber - ;
SNG Schweiz (Levante) 147-148 ; Sunrise 40 RR
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CILICIA, MALLOS - TIME OF TIRIBAZOS (ca. 394-380) & PHARNABAZOS (379-374) - AR Stater, ca. 385-375 BC
weight 10,06gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Bearded head of Kronos right, wearing taenia decorated
with lotus flowers, fish upward behind
rev. Demeter walking right, holding flaming torch and grain ears,
MAΛ ro right
In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Kronos was the leader and youngest of the Titans, the children of Gaia (Earth) and Uranus (Sky). He overthrew his father and ruled during the mythological Golden Age until he was overthrown by his son Zeus and imprisoned in Tartarus. According to Plato, however, the deities Phorcys, Kronos, and Rhea were the eldest children of Oceanus and Tethys.
BMC 20 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock 5714 ;
SNG.Schweiz (Levante) 156 ; Weber 7564 ; McClean- ;
Kraay, Archaic and Classical Greek coins, 1023 ;
Babelon, Traité II, page 879, no.1408 (Pl.CXXXVIII, 7 ;
SNG.Paris 387 ; Casabonne Type 9 ; Sear 5566
Some flatness of strike. Rare.
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CILICIA, MALLOS - TIME OF PHARNABAZOS (379-374) & DATAMES (378-362 BC) - AR Stater, circa 375 - 360 BC
weight 10,27gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.
obv. Athena seated left holding spear and resting left arm ons hield,
behind trunk of olive-tree with tow branches
rev. Hermes, naked but for chlamys, standing facing, holding caduceus
in his right hand, to his left Aphrodite standing left, resting on colomn and
placing her right hand on Hermes′ shoulder, MAΛ to right
BMC 26 ; SNG.Schweiz (Levante) 155 (= this coin) ;
Kraay, Archaic and Classical Greek coins, 1025 ; SNG.Paris 404 ;
Babelon, Traité II, page 881, no.1411 (Pl.CXXXVIII, 9 ;
SNG.Paris 404 ; SNG.Copenhagen 166 ; Sear 5568 RR
Very rare.
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CILICIA, MALLOS - TIME OF DATAMES (378-362 BC) - AR Stater
weight 10,46gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.
obv. Laureate bearded head left (Kronos ?) within dotted border
rev. Young Herakles, naked, kneeling left, strangling the Nemean lion,
club below
The Sunrise collection dates this coin 385-375 BC, SNG. France 350-333 BC. The reverse of this coin, however, shows great resemblance to a stater from Tarsos, which was minted around 370 BC. at the time of satrap Datames (cf. BMC pl. XL, 12 ; SNG. Levante 63). For that reason, attribution to Datames′ reign seems most plausible.
In 379 BC Farnabazu (Pharnabazos), satrap of Daskyon in Bithynia, was given the task of reconquering Egypt for the Persian Empire. Tarkumuwa (Datames), satrap of Cappadocia, was later appointed to assist him. To finance this undertaking large quantities of silver staters were struck in Cilicia, mostly at Tarsos but also in other Cilician cities.
provenance: ex. Levante collection
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock - ; Casabonne Type 10 ;
SNG.Schweiz (Levante) 154 (this coin) ; Weber - ; McClean- ;
Babelon, Traité II, - ; SNG.Paris - (cf. 402) ; The Sunrise Collection 89 RRR
Light obverse off-centre strike. Beautiful specimen of great classical style,
with attractive toning and fine details. Extremely rare.
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CILICIA, NAGIDOS - TIME OF TARKUMUWA (DATAMES), 378-362 BC - AR Stater, circa 370-365 BC
weight 10,74gr. ; silver Ø 23mm.
obv. Aphrodite Ourania seated left, holding patera,
at her side winged Eros
rev. Dionysos Linaios standing left, holding bunch of grapes and
resting on thyrsos, NAΓI behind, ΔEΩN before, in exergue ∩
The large-scale coinage of Nagidos in the period 400-333 BC. shows that it prospered during that period and played an important role in the production of staters for payment of mercenaries during the Persian military expeditions. In 379 BC Farnabazu (Pharnabazos), satrap of Daskyon in Bithynia, was given the task of reconquering Egypt for the Persian Empire. Tarkumuwa (Datames), satrap of Cappadocia, was later appointed to assist him. To finance this undertaking large quantities of silver staters were struck in Cilicia, mostly at Tarsos but also in other Cilician cities.
According to Plato, there are two Aphrodites; "the elder, having no mother, who is called the heavenly Aphrodite Ourania, she is the daughter of Uranus, and the younger, who is the daughter of Zeus and Dione, her we call ′common′ (Pandemos)." The same distinction is found in Xenophon although the author is doubtful whether there are two goddesses, or whether Urania and Pandemos are two names for the same goddess, just as Zeus, although one and the same, has many titles; but in any case, he says, the ritual of Urania is "purer, more serious", than that of Pandemos.
Dionysos was variably known with the many epithets. Linaios is one of them.
This Dionysos was the god of the wine-press.
cf. Künker Auktion 376, Lot 4774 in xf/unc (€ 3.000 + 25%)
cf. Gorny & Mosch Auktion 314, Lot 437 (in xf € 3.400 + 25%).
BMC- (cf. 10) ; SNG.von Aulock 5754 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ;
SNG.France 25 ; SNG.Levante - (cf. 7) ; Lederer 23 ; Sear- R
Minor weakness of strike. Very attractive toning. Rare.
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CILICIA, NAGIDOS - TIME OF TARKUMUWA (DATAMES), 378-362 BC - AR Stater, circa 375-365 BC
weight 10,79gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Aphrodite enthroned left, feet on stool, holding phiale over
circular altar before her; behind, Eros standing left, holding up branch.
rev. Dionysos standing left, holding vine-branch with grapes, and thyrsus,
A in circle in right upper field; behind, NAΓIΔEΩN
The large-scale coinage of Nagidos in the period 400-333 BC. shows that it prospered during that period and played an important role in the production of staters for payment of mercenaries during the Persian military expeditions. In 379 BC Farnabazu (Pharnabazos), satrap of Daskyon in Bithynia, was given the task of reconquering Egypt for the Persian Empire. Tarkumuwa (Datames), satrap of Cappadocia, was later appointed to assist him. To finance this undertaking large quantities of silver staters were struck in Cilicia, mostly at Tarsos but also in other Cilician cities.
cf. Peus nachf. Auktion 431, Lot 3289 in xf (€ 2.600 + 20%)
BMC- ; SNG.von Aulock- ; SNG.Copenhagen-; SNG.Paris- ;
NG.Levante- ; Lederer 26 ; Casabonne type 4 ; Sear- (cf. 5585) RR
Full lustrous coin with excellent details. Near mintstate. Very rare.
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CILICIA, NAGIDOS - AR Stater, circa 360-333 BC
weight 10,79gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Aphrodite seated left, holding phiale; to left, small Eros flying right,
crowning her; below throne, mouse left.
rev. Dionysos standing left, holding grape bunch on vine and thyrsos;
to upper left, AΘ, behind, NAΓIΔIKON, monogram in lower left field
The large-scale coinage of Nagidos in the period 400-333 BC. shows that it prospered during that period and played an important role in the production of staters for payment of mercenaries during the Persian military expeditions.
BMC 18var.- ; SNG.von Aulock - ; SNG.Copenhagen 181var. ;
SNG.Paris 35var. ; SNG.Levante 11var. ; Casabonne type 3 ;
Sear 5587var. RR
attractive patina. Very rare variant.
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CILICIA, OLBA - AJAX, HIGHPRIEST OF OLBA AND GOUVENOR OF LALASSOS & CENNATOS, 10-16 AD - AE 20, year 1 (10-11 AD)
weight 7,92gr. ; bronze Ø 20mm.
obv. Bust of Ajax as Hermes right, wearing close-fitting cap, caduceus in front
AIANTOΣ TEYKPOY
rev. Triskeles, APXIEPEΩΣ TOΠAPXOY above, KENNAT ΛAΛAΣΣ below,
ЄT - A across field
BMC 2 ; SNG.Schweiz (Levante) 630 ; RPC.3725 ; Staffieri 7 ;
SNG.Paris 798 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- R
Dark patina. Rare.
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CILICIA, SELEUKEIA ON THE KALYKADNOS - AE 21, 2nd/1st century BC
weight 2,71gr. ; bronze Ø 19mm.
obv. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in formal curls,
ΣYM behind, within circle of dots
rev. Forepart of horse right, ΩΔΘE monogram at upper left,
ΡE and ΔMH monograms below, surrounded by the legend;
ΣEΛEYKEΩN TΩN ΠΡOΣ TΩI KAΛYKAΔNΩI
Located a few miles from the mouth of the Kalykadnos river (modern Göksu river), Seleukeia (modern Silifke) was founded by Seleukos I Nikator in the early 3rd century BC, one of several cities he named after himself. It is probable that there were already towns called Olbia (or Olba) and Hyria and that Seleukos I merely united them giving them his name. The city grew to include the nearby settlement of Holmi (in modern-day Taşucu) which had been established earlier as an Ionian colony but being on the coast was vulnerable to raiders and pirates. The new city up river was doubtless seen as safer against attacks from the sea so Seleukia achieved considerable commercial prosperity as a port for this corner of Cilicia (later named Isauria), and was even a rival of Tarsus.
Cilicia thrived as a province of the Romans, and Seleukia ad Kalykadnum became a religious center with a renowned 2nd century Temple of Jupiter. It was also the site of a noted school of philosophy and literature, the birthplace of peripatetics Athenaeus and Xenarchus. The stone bridge was built by the governor L. Octavius Memor in 77 AD. Around 300 AD Isauria was established as an independent state with Seleukia as the capital.
BMC- ; SNG. Schweiz (Levante) 697 ; Waddington 4451 ;
SNG.Copenhagen- (cf. 206) ; SNG.von Aulock 5813 ;
SNG France 924-925 ; SNG Pfalz 1030-1031
attractive specimen with good portrait and dark patina
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CILICIA, SELEUKEIA ON THE KALYKADNOS - AE 21, 2nd/1st century BC
weight 4,09gr. ; bronze Ø 18mm.
obv. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in formal curls,
ΠA-monogram and E behind, within circle of dots
rev. Forepart of horse right, AΓ- behind, HΛ-monogram in front,
surrounded by the legend; ΣEΛEYKEΩN TΩN ΠΡOΣ TΩI KAΛYKAΔNΩI
Located a few miles from the mouth of the Kalykadnos river (modern Göksu river), Seleukeia (modern Silifke) was founded by Seleukos I Nikator in the early 3rd century BC, one of several cities he named after himself. It is probable that there were already towns called Olbia (or Olba) and Hyria and that Seleukos I merely united them giving them his name. The city grew to include the nearby settlement of Holmi (in modern-day Taşucu) which had been established earlier as an Ionian colony but being on the coast was vulnerable to raiders and pirates. The new city up river was doubtless seen as safer against attacks from the sea so Seleukia achieved considerable commercial prosperity as a port for this corner of Cilicia (later named Isauria), and was even a rival of Tarsus.
Cilicia thrived as a province of the Romans, and Seleukia ad Kalykadnum became a religious center with a renowned 2nd century Temple of Jupiter. It was also the site of a noted school of philosophy and literature, the birthplace of peripatetics Athenaeus and Xenarchus. The stone bridge was built by the governor L. Octavius Memor in 77 AD. Around 300 AD Isauria was established as an independent state with Seleukia as the capital.
BMC- ; SNG France - (cf. 917-918) ; SNG. Schweiz (Levante) - ;
SNG.Copenhagen- (cf. 206) ; SNG.von Aulock - (cf. 5810-5813) RR
Attractive specimen with good portrait and dark patina.
Very rare.
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CILICIA, SOLI (SOLOI) - AR Stater, circa 440-410 BC
weight 10,65gr. ; silver Ø circa 19mm.
obv. Amazon, nude to the waist, kneeling left, wearing a pointed bonnet,
with drapery around her waist and holding her bow with both hands;
at her waist, gorytos
rev. Large and plump bunch of grapes on stalk, ΣΟΛΕΩΝ at left, A - Θ above,
fly in lower right field, all within square border of dots
The word solecism, meaning a grammatical mistake or absurdity, was invented by the ancient Athenians to describe the Greek dialect spoken in Soli (Soloi), which they thought was a corrupt version of Attic. Plinius records that much wine was produced in Cilicia and Soloi′s standard type of a bunch of grapes implies that some of it was certainly made here.
The Amazons were a tribe of female warriors who supposedly originated in northern Asia Minor. They appear in a great number of Greek legends and were a favorite subject for ancient painting and sculpture (they supposedly removed their right breasts in order to be better able to throw javelins and draw their bows, but this is never shown in works of art and it seems prima facie unlikely). The engraver of this coin got out of the problem by showing the Amazon from behind, with only her left breast visible under her arm. Precisely why she appears on the coinage of Soloi is unknown and probably relates to a local myth.
BMC 4 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.Levante- ; SNG.Paris 132 ;
Babelon, Traité II, 543 ; Ziegler- ; SNG.von Aulock- RR
Wonderful specimen with attractive toning. Very rare.
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CILICIA, SOLI (SOLOI) - VADFRADAD (AUTOPHRADATES) - AR Stater, circa 375-360 BC
weight 9,54gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
Persian standard.
obv. Bare head of bearded Herakles right, lion’s skin knotted round neck
rev. Head of bearded satrap right, wearing bashlik, around Σ O Λ I K O N
Although this stater doesn′s mention a name, it was probably issued by Vadfradad (in Greek: Autophradates), Persian satrap of Lydia, who ruled from 380 BC until circa 365 BC, or maybe his successor Spithridates (365-334 BC)
BMC 27 ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 234 ; Babelon, Traité II, 564 ;
SNG. von Aulock 5863 ; McClean- ; SNG.Schweiz (Levante) 50 ;
Winzer 10.5 ; SNG.Paris 162 ; cf. Sear 5611 R
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CILICIA, SOLI (SOLOI) - AE 20, 2nd century BC
weight 5,94gr. ; bronze Ø 20mm.
obv. Head of Tyche right, laureate, veiled and turreted
rev. Caps of the Dioskouroi, each surmounted by a star, and having
a cord attached, below, ΣOΛEΩN inside frame and AP-monogram
The Dioskouroi (Dioscuri) were Castor and Pollux (or Polydeuces), the twin sons of Leda and brothers of Helen of Troy. The twins shared the same mother but had different fathers. Pollux, the son of Zeus, was immortal but Castor was mortal. When Castor died, Pollux asked to let him share his own immortality with his twin to keep them together. They were transformed into the Gemini constellation and the two spend alternate days on Olympus (as gods) and in Hades (as deceased mortals). The pair were regarded as the patrons of sailors, to whom they appeared as St. Elmo′s fire.
BMC - (cf. 43) ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen- (cf. 243) ;
SNG. von Aulock 5879 ; McClean- ; cf. Sear 5624 ;
SNG.Schweiz (Levante) 868 ; SNG.Paris - (cf. 1204) R
Excellent specimen with attractive dark patina. Rare.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - PERSIAN RULE - SYENNESIS III, vassal king of Persia, circa 425-401 BC - AR Stater or shekel
weight 10,48gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
obv. Horseman (Syennesis ?), in Persian attire, riding left,
wearing kyrbasia and with gorytos at his hip, holding lotus flower
in right hand and reins in left, to right, eagle left on branch
rev. Archer in kneeling-running stance to right, quiver over shoulder,
drawing bow; in lower left field ankh-like symbol, all within pelleted
square border within incuse square
Syennesis III was a contemporary of Artaxerxes II of Persia, and when Cyrus the Younger, marching against Artaxerxes in 401 BC, arrived at the borders of Cilicia, he found the passes guarded by Syennesis, who, however, withdrew his troops on receiving intelligence that the force advanced by Cyrus under Meno had already entered Cilicia, and that the combined fleet of the Lacedaemonians and the prince, under Samius and Tamos, was sailing round from Ionia.
When Cyrus reached Tarsus, the Cilician capital, he found that Meno′s soldiers had sacked the city, and commanded Syennesis to appear before him. Syennesis had fled for refuge to a stronghold among the mountains, but he was induced by his wife, Epyaxa, to obey the summons of Cyrus. Here he received gifts of honor from Cyrus, whom he supplied in his turn with a large sum of money and a considerable body of troops under the command of one of his sons. At the same time, however, Syennesis took care to send his other son to Artaxerxes, to represent his meeting with Cyrus as having been something he′d been forced to do, while his heart all the time was with the king, Artaxerxes. From Xenophon′s telling it appears that Syennesis at this time, though really a vassal of Persia, affected the tone of an independent sovereign. He resided in Tarsus with his wife Epyaxa. The present series of coins could have been minted for compensation payments to Tissaphernes after Cyrus died in the Battle of Kunaxa (late summer 401 BC), see Müseler, Tarsos and the Anabasis of the Younger Cyrus, JNG 65, 2015, p. 24. Although Syennesis′ name is not mentioned on the coins, an attribution to his reign is most likely based on the images of the coins and find data.
BMC - ; SNG von Aulock - ; SNG Copenhagen - ; SNG Levante - ;
cf. SNG France 213 ; cf. Casabonne Type D (unlisted variety) ;
cf. Babelon, Traité II, 523 ; Müseler, Tarsos, Group 3, e RR
Testcut on reverse. Very rare coin type.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - PERSIAN RULE - SYENNESIS III, vassal king of Persia, circa 425-401 BC - AR Stater or shekel
weight 10,48gr. ; silver Ø 18mm.
obv. Horseman (Syennesis ?), in Persian attire, riding left, wearing kyrbasia,
holding lotus flower in right hand and reins in left, bow in bowcase on saddle;
ankh-like symbol below horse
rev. Archer in kneeling-running stance to right, quiver over shoulder, drawing bow;
ankh-like symbol and Aramaic ′TRZ′ behind, all within dotted border within incuse square.
Syennesis III was a contemporary of Artaxerxes II of Persia, and when Cyrus the Younger, marching against Artaxerxes in 401 BC, arrived at the borders of Cilicia, he found the passes guarded by Syennesis, who, however, withdrew his troops on receiving intelligence that the force advanced by Cyrus under Meno had already entered Cilicia, and that the combined fleet of the Lacedaemonians and the prince, under Samius and Tamos, was sailing round from Ionia.
When Cyrus reached Tarsus, the Cilician capital, he found that Meno′s soldiers had sacked the city, and commanded Syennesis to appear before him. Syennesis had fled for refuge to a stronghold among the mountains, but he was induced by his wife, Epyaxa, to obey the summons of Cyrus. Here he received gifts of honor from Cyrus, whom he supplied in his turn with a large sum of money and a considerable body of troops under the command of one of his sons.
At the same time, however, Syennesis took care to send his other son to Artaxerxes, to represent his meeting with Cyrus as having been something he′d been forced to do, while his heart all the time was with the king, Artaxerxes. From Xenophon′s telling it appears that Syennesis at this time, though really a vassal of Persia, affected the tone of an independent sovereign. He resided in Tarsus with his wife Epyaxa. The present series of coins could have been minted for compensation payments to Tissaphernes after Cyrus died in the Battle of Kunaxa (late summer 401 BC), see Müseler, Tarsos and the Anabasis of the Younger Cyrus, JNG 65, 2015, p. 24. Although Syennesis′ name is not mentioned on the coins, an attribution to his reign is most likely based on the images of the coins and find data.
BMC -; SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -; SNG Levante -;
SNG France - (cf. 213 for types = Casabonne Type D2, pl. 2, 10 =
MIMAA pl. V, 6 = Traité II, 523) RRR
Apparently unpublished. Extremely rare.
Small and thick planchet. Attractive toning.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - PERSIAN RULE - AR Stater or shekel, circa 410-385 BC
weight 10,71gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Satrap on horseback riding right
rev. Hoplite, nude but for helmet, holding spear and shield,
kneeling right, Aramaic ′TRZ′ above, all within dotted border
within incuse square
The most extensive series of satrapal coinage was minted in Cilicia. The great majority of coins are shekels (staters) that were minted in connection with funding the expenses of military campaigns.
BMC 5var. ; SNG von Aulock 5911var. ; SNG Copenhagen 258 ;
SNG Levante - ; SNG France 215 ; Casabonne Type F1 ;
Müseler, Tarsos, Group 5, a ; Babelon, Traité II, 504 ;
Mitchiner ATAEC 1997var. R
Somewhat sloppy and weak strike. Rare.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - PERSIAN RULE - TIRIBAZOS, satrap, 385-380 BC - AR Obol
weight 0,54gr. ; silver Ø 9mm.
obv. Head of youthful male
rev. Kneeling female, upper part of body nude, throwing astragaloi, at right lotos-plant
The game with astragaloi (knucklebones) is a game of ancient origin, usually played with five astragaloi (of a sheep). These were thrown up and caught in various manners. Sophocles, in a written fragment of one of his works, ascribed the invention of knucklebones to the mythical figure Palamedes, who taught it to his Greek countrymen during the Trojan War. Both the Iliad and the Odyssey contain allusions to games similar in character to knucklebones. Pausanius in his Description of Greece (2.20.3) tells of a temple of Fortune in Corinth in which Palamedes made an offering of his newly invented game. Children′s games were a common temple offering at some temples.
Babelon, Traité II,2,1377 ; SNG.Levante 65 ; SNG.Paris 239 ;
Slg.Klein 677 ; SNG.v.Aulock 5427 ; Sear- R
Wonderful coin with excellent details. Rare.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - PERSIAN RULE - FARNABAZU (PHARNABAZOS), PERSIAN MILITARY COMMANDER, CIRCA 380-373 BC - AR Stater, circa 378-373 BC
weight 10,87gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Baaltars seated left, holding lotus tipped sceptre in right hand,
″B′LTRZ″ (= Baaltars) in Aramaic to right
rev. Bearded male head (Ares?) left, wearing crested Attic helmet,
″FRNBZW″ (= Farnabazu) in Aramaic to left, ″KLK″ (= Cilicia)
in Aramaic to right
In 379 BC Farnabazu (Pharnabazos), satrap of Daskyon in Bithynia, was given the task of reconquering Egypt for the Persian Empire. Tarkumuwa (Datames), satrap of Cappadocia, was later appointed to assist him. To finance this undertaking large quantities of silver staters were struck in Cilicia, mostly at Tarsos but also in other Cilician cities.
BMC Lycaonia pg. 165, 21 ; Moysey Issue 2, 1-27 ; SNG France 251 ;
SNG Levante 71-72 ; SNG Copenhagen Supp. 609 ; Weber 8718 ;
Babelon, Traité II, 584 (Pl.CVIII, 2) ; SNG von Aulock 5927 ;
McClean 9094
Magnificent lustrous specimen with excellent details. Rare.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - PERSIAN RULE - FARNABAZU (PHARNABAZOS), PERSIAN MILITARY COMMANDER, CIRCA 380-373 BC - AR Obol
weight 0,64gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Baaltars seated right, holding eagle and lotus-tipped scepter,
monogram behind
rev. Baaltars(?) nude, standing right, holding eagle and short scepter,
Aramaic legend “TRZ” behind
In 379 BC Farnabazu (Pharnabazos), satrap of Daskyon in Bithynia, was given the task of reconquering Egypt for the Persian Empire. Tarkumuwa (Datames), satrap of Cappadocia, was later appointed to assist him. To finance this undertaking large quantities of silver staters were struck in Cilicia, mostly at Tarsos but also in other Cilician cities.
Ba′al was the title of various Gods of fertility, weather, rain, wind, lightning, seasons, war, patron of sailors and sea-going merchants, leader of the Rephaim (ancestral spirits). In fact Ba′al was a title and honorific meaning ″owner″, ″lord″ in the Northwest Semitic languages spoken in the Levant during antiquity. In Sumerian EN, the Akkadian Bēlu and Northwest Semitic Ba′al was used as a title of various deities in the Mesopotamian and Semitic pantheons. Only a definitive article, genitive or epithet, or context could establish which particular god was meant. Ba′al was also used as a proper name by the third millennium BC, when he appears in a list of deities at Abu Salabik ( a small Sumerian city around 20 km northwest of the site of ancient Nippur. The Phoenician Ba′al is generally identified with either El or Dagan. Also in Cana′an Ba′al was worshipped under various names, also as El ; the leader of the gods and patron of kingship, who was connected to the regions′ dependence on rainfall for its agriculture. He fought various mythical snake-monsters asthe Yammu (now generally regarded as the prototype of the vision recorded in the 7th chapter of the biblical Book of Daniel), Tannin and Litan. In Cana′an we also know Ba′al as Mot, the Canaanite death god, he was known as Ba′al Rāpi′uma. Also the Hebrean God Jah-Weh was a synonym for Ba′al and means the same; "Lord". So Ba′al was not one God, but a synonym for a range of various Gods in ancient antiquity.
BMC - ; SNG France - ; SNG Schweiz (Levante) 67 ;
SNG Copenhagen - ; Weber - ; Rosen coll. - ; Slg. Klein - ;
McClean - ; SNG von Aulock - ; Göktürk 19-20 ; Sear - RR
a very rare coin type
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CILICIA, TARSOS - PERSIAN RULE - FARNABAZU (PHARNABAZOS), PERSIAN MILITARY COMMANDER, CIRCA 380-373 BC - AR Obol
weight 0,71gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Baaltars seated left, holding lotus tipped sceptre in right hand,
within circle of dots
rev. Bearded male head (Ares?) left, wearing crested Attic helmet,
within circle
In 379 BC Farnabazu (Pharnabazos), satrap of Daskyon in Bithynia, was given the task of reconquering Egypt for the Persian Empire. Tarkumuwa (Datames), satrap of Cappadocia, was later appointed to assist him. To finance this undertaking large quantities of silver staters were struck in Cilicia, mostly at Tarsos but also in other Cilician cities.
BMC - ; SNG France 257 ; SNG Schweiz (Levante) 76-77 ;
SNG Copenhagen - ; Weber - ; Rosen coll. - ; Slg. Klein - ;
McClean - ; SNG von Aulock - ; Sear - RR
a very rare coin type
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CILICIA, TARSOS - PERSIAN RULE - TARKUMUWA (DATAMES), SATRAP OF CILICIA AND CAPPADOCIA, 384-362 BC - AR Stater, circa 378-372
weight 10,72gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Female head with streaming hair, nearly facing, inclined to left,
wearing sphendone and necklace, all within dotted circle
rev. Bearded male head (Ares ?) left in crested Athenean helmet decorated with
floral scroll, chlamys fastened round neck, Aramaic tekst “TRDMW” before
In 379 BC Farnabazu (Pharnabazos), satrap of Daskyon in Bithynia, was given the task of reconquering Egypt for the Persian Empire. Tarkumuwa (Datames), satrap of Cappadocia, was later appointed to assist him.Tarkumuwa (Datames) was left in sole command of the Egyptian campaign following the death of Pharnabazos in 374 BC. A few years later he became involved in the revolt of the satraps against the Persian king in the course of which he extended his territory as far as the shores of the Black See. To finance the military undertakings large quantities of silver staters were struck in Cilicia, mostly at Tarsos but also in other Cilician cities. This cointype was minted under both Farnabazu (Pharnabazos) and Tarkumuwa (Datames).
The obverse clearly is derived from Kimon′s Arethusa on the coinage of Syracuse.
BMC 30 ; Weber 7624var. ; Babelon, Traité II, 606 (Pl.CIX, 1) ;
McClean - ; SNG.Copenhagen 274-276 ; Sear 5644 ;
SNG.Delepierre 2877var. ; cf. SNG.von Aulock 5934-5935 ;
SNG France 274-276 ; SNG Levante 80 R
Some minor roughness, otherwsie very attractive
example of wonderful classical style. Rare.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - PERSIAN RULE - FARNABAZU (PHARNABAZOS), PERSIAN MILITARY COMMANDER, CIRCA 380-373 BC - AR Stater, circa 378-373 BC
weight 10,36gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Female head with streaming hair, nearly facing, inclined to left,
wearing sphendone and necklace, all within dotted circle
rev. Bearded male head (Ares ?) left in crested Athenean helmet decorated with
floral scroll, chlamys fastened round neck, ″FRNBZW″ (= Farnabazu) in Aramaic behind
In 379 BC Farnabazu (Pharnabazos), satrap of Daskyon in Bithynia, was given the task of reconquering Egypt for the Persian Empire. Tarkumuwa (Datames), satrap of Cappadocia, was later appointed to assist him.Tarkumuwa (Datames) was left in sole command of the Egyptian campaign following the death of Pharnabazos in 374 BC. A few years later he became involved in the revolt of the satraps against the Persian king in the course of which he extended his territory as far as the shores of the Black See. To finance the military undertakings large quantities of silver staters were struck in Cilicia, mostly at Tarsos but also in other Cilician cities. This cointype was minted under both Farnabazu (Pharnabazos) and Tarkumuwa (Datames).
The obverse clearly is derived from Kimon′s Arethusa on the coinage of Syracuse.
BMC 16var. ; Weber - ; Babelon, Traité II, 586 (Pl. CVIII, 4) ;
McClean 9093 ; SNG.Copenhagen 271 ; Sear 5940 ;
SNG.von Aulock 5917 ; SNG France - (cf. 246) ; cf. SNG Levante 70 R
Small test cut on obverse, otherwise attractive
example of wonderful classical style. Rare.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - PERSIAN RULE - TARKUMUWA (DATAMES), SATRAP OF CILICIA AND CAPPADOCIA, 384-360 BC - AR Stater, circa 375-370 BC - MASTERPIECE
weight 10,38gr. ; silver Ø 23mm.
obv. Baaltars seated right, torso facing, holding grain ear and grape bunch
in extended right hand, cradling eagle-tipped scepter in left arm, forepart
of bull below seat; B′LTRZ (in Aramaic) to left, thymiaterion in background;
all within crenellated wall
rev. Satrap seated right, wearing Persian dress, testing arrow held in both hands;
TRDMW (in Aramaic) to left, winged solar disk with volutes to upper right,
bow to lower right
Tarkumuwa (called Datames by the Greeks) was born circa 407 BC in Caria. He was a son of Kamisares, an Iranian satrap who governed Cilicia under the Achaemenid king Artaxerxes II (404–358 BC). Kamisares was most likely from a Persian noble-family that settled in Caria, and was one of the nobles who sided with Artaxerxes II during the revolt of Cyrus the Younger. Tarkumuwa′s mother was a Paphlagonian princess named Scythissa, who was married to Kamisares sometime before 401 BC. His father being satrap of Cilicia under Artaxerxes II, and high in the favour of that monarch, Tarkumuwa became one of the king′s bodyguards; and having in this capacity distinguished himself in the war against the Kadusii, was appointed to succeed his father (who had fallen in that war) in the government of his province. Here he distinguished himself both by his military abilities and his zeal in the service of the king; and reduced to subjection two officials who had revolted from Artaxerxes, Thyus, governor of Paphlagonia, and Aspis of Cataonia. During the 390s-60s BC the family of Kamisares and Datames was prominent. Datames eventually ruled a satrapy encompassing both Cilicia and Cappadocia.
He was in consequence entrusted by the Persian king with the chief command of a force designed for the recovery of Egypt, following the failure of Pharnabazus II; but the machinations of his enemies at the Persian court, and the risks to which he was in consequence exposed, induced him to change his plan, and throw off his allegiance to the king (circa 370 BC). He withdrew with the troops under his command into Cappadocia, and made common cause with the other satraps who had revolted from Persia (the ″Satraps′ Revolt″). Artabazos, the satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia, one of the generals that remained faithful to the king, advanced against him from Pisidia, but was entirely defeated. The great reputation that Tarkumuwa had acquired induced Artaxerxes to direct his utmost exertions to effect his subjection, but Autophradates, who was sent against him with a large army, was obliged to retreat with heavy loss. Tarkumuwa, however, though constantly victorious against open foes, ultimately fell a victim to treachery, and, after evading numerous plots that had been formed against his life, was assassinated at a conference by Mithridates, the son of Ariobarzanes, who had gained his confidence by assuming the appearance of hostility to the king. Tarkumuwa must have died before Artaxerxes, probably 362 BC.
Tarkumuwa appears to have obtained the highest reputation in his day for courage and ability in war, which caused his fame to extend even among the Greeks, though he did not come into personal collision with them. He was succeeded by his son Ariamnes I who ruled 362–330 BC as satrap of Cappadocia under Persian suzerainty.
BMC 34 ; SNG.Copenhagen 298 ; SNG.von Aulock- (cf. 5952) ;
Casabonne Series 2 ; cf. Moysey Issue 6 ; SNG France 289 ; Sear- ;
SNG Levante 87 ; Winzer 14.1 ; cf. Sunrise 52 ; SNG BN 286-8 R
(cf. Triton XVIII, lot 71 in xf ; USD 7000 + 15%)
A somewhat irregular flan, but a wonderful strike on both sides
with excellent details and with a beautiful tone and of great style.
A splendid example, quite rare in such a high grade.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - MAZDAYA (MAZAIOS), PERSIAN SATRAP OF CILICIA, 361-334 BC - AR Stater, 361-334 BC - CAPPADOCIAN (?) IMITATION
weight 7,73gr. ; silver Ø 24mm.
obv. Baäl of Tarsos (Baaltars) seated on diphros left,
wearing himation, holding corn-ear ″and bunch of grapes in
right hand, long scepter in left hand, ram′s head right beneath
seat of diphros, Aramaic legend ″baäl tarz″ behind
rev. Lion left, attacking on the back of stag kneeling left,
above Aramaic legend ″MaZDI″
This coin type in particular was imitated by the first king of Cappadocia, Ariarathes I (331-322 BC). This coin type will undoubtedly have circulated extensively in the area of power of Ariarathes I, which makes imitation logical. After all, that coin type was known and trusted. However, the coinage of Ariarathes was based on the Persian siglos (ca. 5.6 gr.). This specimen is clearly too light for an original piece by Maizaios (ca. 10.8 gr.), while it is too heavy for the siglos. It may have stood at the beginning of the imitation coinage in Cappadocia. (cf. Simonetta pag. 15, no. 1 ; Ganschow 1-2 ; HGC 7, no. 790-791). Highly interesting and extremely rare.
provenance: H. Pilartz, Cologne, sale 7, Lot 88 (1 October 1964)
cf. BMC 45 ; SNG.Schweiz 109var. ; SNG.copenhagen- (cf. 306-307) ;
cf. Weber 7633 ; cf. Naville IV, 949 ; cf. Babelon, Traité II, 2, 680 ;
SNG.France 320-321var. RRR
attractive specimen with appealing toning
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CILICIA, TARSOS - MAZDAYA (MAZAIOS), PERSIAN SATRAP OF CILICIA, 361-344 BC - AR Stater, 361-334 BC
weight 10,77gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Baäl of Tarsos (Baaltars) seated on diphros left,
head facing, wearing himation, holding eagle, corn-ear ″
and bunch of grapes in right hand, lotus-headed scepter in left hand,
Aramaic legend ″Ba′AL TARZ″ behind, Aramaic ″M″ beneath throne,
Aramaic ″NT″ to lower left
rev. Lion left on the back of bull kneeling left, which it attacks with
teeth and claws, above Aramaic legend ″MaZDI″, below monogram.
The coinage of Cilicia, from its beginnings in the late 5th century, through to the Hellenistic period, illustrated a prominence for the Phoenicio-Canaanite god Ba′al, specifically in the various coins minted at Tarsos. This should not be surprising, for the proximity of Cilicia to Phoenicia and Canaan would naturally suggest contact and influence between the regions. And, Indeed, tablets found at the site of Ras Shamra – ancient Ugarit – attest to the prominence of Ba′al.
Ba′al was the title of various Gods of fertility, weather, rain, wind, lightning, seasons, war, patron of sailors and sea-going merchants, leader of the Rephaim (ancestral spirits). In fact Ba′al was a title and honorific meaning ″owner″, ″lord″ in the Northwest Semitic languages spoken in the Levant during antiquity. In Sumerian EN, the Akkadian Bēlu and Northwest Semitic Ba′al was used as a title of various deities in the Mesopotamian and Semitic pantheons. Only a definitive article, genitive or epithet, or context could establish which particular god was meant. Ba′al was also used as a proper name by the third millennium BC, when he appears in a list of deities at Abu Salabik ( a small Sumerian city around 20 km northwest of the site of ancient Nippur. The Phoenician Ba′al is generally identified with either El or Dagan. Also in Cana′an Ba′al was worshipped under various names, also as El ; the leader of the gods and patron of kingship, who was connected to the regions′ dependence on rainfall for its agriculture. He fought various mythical snake-monsters asthe Yammu (now generally regarded as the prototype of the vision recorded in the 7th chapter of the biblical Book of Daniel), Tannin and Litan. In Cana′an we also know Ba′al as Mot, the Canaanite death god, he was known as Ba′al Rāpi′uma. Also the Hebrean God Jah-Weh was a synonym for Ba′al and means the same; "Lord". So Ba′al was not one God, but a synonym for a range of various Gods in ancient antiquity.
cf. CNG. Feature auction 124, Lot 258 (in about xf USD 2.500 + 22%)
BMC 53var. ; SNG.Schweiz (Levante) 106 ; SNG.Copenhagen - (cf. 311) ;
SNG. von Aulock 5958var. ; SNG.France 335var. ; McClean 9100ar. ;
Sear 5650var. ; Casabonne Series 2, Group C
Beautiful lustrous specimen, well-struck with excellent details.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - MAZDAYA (MAZAIOS), PERSIAN SATRAP OF CILICIA, 361-334 BC - AR Obol
weight 0,52gr. ; silver Ø 10,5mm.
obv. Persian king or hero, wearing kidaris and kandys,
in kneeling-running stance right, holding spear in right hand, bow in left
rev. Head of Mazdaya right, wearing kyrbasia
As there is no text on the coin, the attribution to Mazdaya
is not totally certain but only very likely. Very rare.
SNG France – ; SNG Levante – ; Göktürk – ; Mildenberg, Kleingeld – ;
Troxell & Kagan – ; Winzer 18.4 (Mazaios) ; BMC 25 (Mallos) ;
SNG.Kayhan 1066 (Euagoras II of Salamis) ; Sunrise 92 RR
Off-centre strike for obverse.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - MAZDAYA (MAZAIOS), PERSIAN SATRAP OF CILICIA, 361-334 BC - AR Obol
weight 0,61gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.
obv. Youthful male head, wearing corn-wreath (Triptolemos)
within circle of dots
rev. Eagle, wings spread, standing left on lying lion left,
all within dotted square
Triptolemos was a demi-god of the Eleusinian mysteries who presided over the sowing of grain-seed and the milling of wheat. He was one of the Eleusinian princes who hospitably received the goddess Demeter when she was mourning the loss of her daughter. After Persephone was returned from the underworld Demeter, in her munificence, instructed Triptolemos in the ways of agriculture and provided him with a winged, serpent-drawn chariot to spread her gift across the earth. He travelled through many lands but when he reached the cold realm of the Skythians, King Lynkos (Lyncus) slew one of his dragon-serpents and drove the hero away. Demeter transformed the king into a lynx and denied the Skythians the gift of agriculture.
BMC - ; SNG France 474 ; Babelon, Traité II, 707 (Pl.CXIII, 4) ;
Slg. Klein - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG. von Aulock - ;
McClean- ; SNG Schweiz (Levante) 230 R
Very attractive specimen with light toning. Rare.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - AE 21, circa 164-30 BC
weight 6,41gr. ; bronze Ø 21mm.
obv. Veiled and turreted head of Tyche right, dotted border.
rev. Pyre of Sandan, in the form of pyramidal structure, containing figure
of Sandan on lion, surmounting square basis; eagle perched on apex;
TAPΣΕΩΝ in field to right, monogram in field to left.
Tyche (Greek for luck; the Roman equivalent was Fortuna ) was the presiding tutelary deity that governed the fortune and prosperity of a city, its destiny. Increasingly during the Hellenistic period, cities had their own specific iconic version of Tyche, wearing a mural crown (a crown like the walls of the city).
Sandan was a Hittite/Babylonian sun, storm, or warrior god, also perhaps associated with agriculture, who the Greeks equated with Herakles (Hercules) and who the Lydians believed their royal house descended from. Sardis (Sardes, Sardeis), the capital of Lydia, may have been named after Sandon. ″In honour of Sandan-Heracles there was celebrated every year in Tarsus a funeral pyre festival, at the climax of which the image of the god was burned. The dying of nature under the withering heat of the summer sun and its resurrection to new life was the content of this mystery, which at once suggests its kinship with the cults of the Syrian Adonis, the Phrygian Attis, the Egyptian Osiris, and the Babylonian Tammuz.″ The pyre of Sandan is featured on coins of Tarsus. Sandan is also associated on coinage with a horned lion.
BMC 106 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.Schweiz (Levante) - (cf. 944) ;
SNG.Paris- (cf.1310) ; SNG.von Aulock- (cf. 5971) ; Sear- (cf. 5672)
Attractive dark patina. Rare.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - AE 21, circa 164-30 BC
weight 6,85gr. ; bronze Ø 21mm.
obv. Veiled and turreted head of Tyche right, dotted border.
rev. Pyre of Sandan, in the form of pyramidal structure, containing figure
of Sandan on lion, surmounting square basis; eagle perched on apex;
TAPΣΕΩΝ in field to right, ΛΦ-monogram in field to left.
Tyche (Greek for luck; the Roman equivalent was Fortuna ) was the presiding tutelary deity that governed the fortune and prosperity of a city, its destiny. Increasingly during the Hellenistic period, cities had their own specific iconic version of Tyche, wearing a mural crown (a crown like the walls of the city).
Sandan was a Hittite/Babylonian sun, storm, or warrior god, also perhaps associated with agriculture, who the Greeks equated with Herakles (Hercules) and who the Lydians believed their royal house descended from. Sardis (Sardes, Sardeis), the capital of Lydia, may have been named after Sandon. ″In honour of Sandan-Heracles there was celebrated every year in Tarsus a funeral pyre festival, at the climax of which the image of the god was burned. The dying of nature under the withering heat of the summer sun and its resurrection to new life was the content of this mystery, which at once suggests its kinship with the cults of the Syrian Adonis, the Phrygian Attis, the Egyptian Osiris, and the Babylonian Tammuz.″ The pyre of Sandan is featured on coins of Tarsus. Sandan is also associated on coinage with a horned lion.
BMC 107 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.Schweiz (Levante) 955 ;
SNG.Paris- (cf.1313) ; SNG.von Aulock- (cf. 5971) ; Sear 5672
Attractive dark patina.
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CILICIA, TARSOS - AE 21, circa 164-30 BC
weight 6,92gr. ; bronze Ø 21mm.
obv. Veiled and turreted head of Tyche right, dotted border.
rev. Pyre of Sandan, in the form of pyramidal structure, containing figure
of Sandan on lion, surmounting square basis; eagle perched on apex;
TAPΣΕΩΝ in field to right, EΣ and HP-monogram in field to left.
Tyche (Greek for luck; the Roman equivalent was Fortuna ) was the presiding tutelary deity that governed the fortune and prosperity of a city, its destiny. Increasingly during the Hellenistic period, cities had their own specific iconic version of Tyche, wearing a mural crown (a crown like the walls of the city).
Sandan was a Hittite/Babylonian sun, storm, or warrior god, also perhaps associated with agriculture, who the Greeks equated with Herakles (Hercules) and who the Lydians believed their royal house descended from. Sardis (Sardes, Sardeis), the capital of Lydia, may have been named after Sandon. ″In honour of Sandan-Heracles there was celebrated every year in Tarsus a funeral pyre festival, at the climax of which the image of the god was burned. The dying of nature under the withering heat of the summer sun and its resurrection to new life was the content of this mystery, which at once suggests its kinship with the cults of the Syrian Adonis, the Phrygian Attis, the Egyptian Osiris, and the Babylonian Tammuz.″ The pyre of Sandan is featured on coins of Tarsus. Sandan is also associated on coinage with a horned lion.
BMC - (cf.110) ; SNG.Copenhagen 336 ; SNG.Schweiz (Levante) - (cf.942) ;
SNG.Paris- (cf.1315) ; SNG.von Aulock- (cf. 5971) ; Sear- (cf.5672) RR
(cf. CNG, Triton V Sale, 15 Jan 2002, lot 519 in vf; 200 USD + 15%).
Minor weakness and adjustmarks. Attractive dark patina. Very rare.
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