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IONIA, EARLIEST COINAGE - UNCERTAIN MINT - EL 1/3 Stater (trite), circa 650-625 BC
weight 4,73gr. ; electrum Ø 13mm.
Lydo-Milesian standard.
obv. Pegasos walking left with curved wings
rev. Two incuse squares with pattern of lines and dots
This coin is struck at the beginning of the coinage. The city of origin is unknown, but based on find data the mint will have been located in Ionia. The depiction of a pegasus on such an early coin makes this issue highly interesting.
The dream of flight has always held a powerful grip on the human imagination. Pegasus, the flying horse of Greek mythology, symbolizes that dream, and this winged white stallion appears on many ancient coins. There are hundreds of different types, extending over eight centuries. The first reference to Pegasus in literature is Hesiod′s Theogony, dated to the late eighth or early seventh century BC. The magical flying horse and his brother Chrysaor, a flying boar, were born from the blood of the monster Medusa when the hero Perseus cut off her head: ″Pegasus flew away, leaving the earth that feeds the sheep, and joined the gods; now he lives in the halls of Zeus and carries the thunder and lightning bolts for the almighty lord of wisdom″.
Pegasus appears at the very dawn of ancient coinage on an electrum third stater (trite) from an uncertain mint in Ionia on the eastern shore of the Aegean Sea. So this coin type is actually the first time we see the Pegasus depicted on a coin.
Fischer-Bossert, Horses, Series II, 3c ; Weidauer 149 ; Prospero 501 RR
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IONIA, EARLIEST COINAGE - UNCERTAIN MINT - EL Myshemihekte (1/24 Stater), circa 625-600BC
weight 0,72gr. ; electrum Ø 7mm.
Phokaic standard.
obv. Swastika
rev. Incusum with rough pattern
These fairly crude Phocaic standard swastika coins have no links
with Phokaia or Theos. The other north Ionian cities to consider
as possible mints are Smyrna, Clazomenai and Erythrae. Rare.
The swastika is an ancient symbol that has been known for at least 8,000 years. It has been used by many peoples and cultures and had a positive meaning, including as a symbol for fertility, well-being and as a symbol for the sun.
Ancient Greek use of the swastika symbol (pre-Etruscan) may date back as far as the ancient city of Troy (founded around 3,000 BC), which was located along the northwest coast of Asia Minor in modern-day Turkey. In his late-nineteenth century excavations around the Dardanelles, Heinrich Schliemann found objects decorated with swastikas. When news reached him of this discovery, the director of the French School at Athens, Emile-Louis Burnouf, wrote to Schliemann saying, ″The swastika should be regarded as a sign of the Aryan race.″ In accordance with the director′s thesis, Schliemann believed the Trojans to have been Aryans, writing, ″The primitive Trojans, therefore, belonged to the Aryan race, which is further sufficiently proved by symbols on the round terra-cottas.″ Later the Nazis would use this rather dubious and unfounded theory as a symbol for the Aryan race, which has given the symbol a rather negative image today.
An rare and historical very interesting coin,
that goed back to the very beginning of coinage.
Babelon, Traité I, 237 (Pl.V,36) ; Linzalone LN.1145 ;
Boston MFA 1782 ; McClean 8028 ; SNG. von Aulock 1778 ;
Rosen collection 365 ; Mitchiner ATAEC 183 ; SNG.Kayhan 702 ;
Weber 5725 ; Weidauer 151 ; SNG.München 2 ; Sear- R
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IONIA, EARLIEST COINAGE - UNCERTAIN MINT, POSSIBLY EPHESOS - EL Stater, circa 550-525 BC
weight 14,16gr. ; electrum 21x16mm.
Lydo-Milesian standard.
obv. Forepart of bridled horse left; rosette before breast,
on its back, lotus flower
rev. Two incuse squares flanking central rectangular incuse
with rough geometric patterns
This interesting issue of electrum staters has been known for some time. Noting the similarity of the reverse punches to electrum staters at Miletos with a couchant lion, Kraay suggested it may have been one of many issues from the early period at that city with this form of punch marks, perhaps the earliest, with the city using varying types before settling on a lion as its civic badge. Nevertheless, Kraay also noted that some issues with this form of punchmarking had been attributed to cities in Caria and Lydia, so the identification of the mint as Miletos was speculative.
Until more recent discoveries, though, the subsidiary symbols on the obverse, a flower (lotus?) and rosette, were either not clearly visible or missed by catalogers. Although the configuration and style of the reverse punches suggest a date contemporary to the lion staters of Miletos, the appearance of these symbols casts doubt on such an early chronology, as subsidiary symbols do not commonly appear on electrum until much later. Subsidiary symbols on electrum staters are more common on northwest Anatolian issues of the early 5th century BC. The most prominent examples are the various electrum staters typically given to the time of the Ionian Revolt (cf. ACGC 74), and the early issues at Lampsakos (cf. Kraay & Hirmer 727). A lotus symbol is also found as a subsidiary symbol on electrum staters that may have been issued in Thrace in the late 6th century (cf. Rosen 148–9). Another example is the recently discovered staters featuring a lion lying right with a lotus flower above (cf. Linzalone 1174), typically dated to the early 5th century. Interestingly, this issue has a similar configuration of reverse punches, though they have a more uniform appearance that suggests a date later than the present specimen. The closest parallel with the current stater issue, however, is a stater with a lion lying left with lotus flower above (cf. Rosen 245). The reverse of this issue also has a similar configuration of punches, but appears closer to our piece in style. Unfortunately, that issue is known from just one example, and its date of issue is unknown.
Another factor to consider is the combination of rosette and lotus symbols. These two symbols frequently occur together, particularly on silver issues from cities in the region of northern Greece during the period that they were under Persian rule. Both the rosette and lotus are often found in Persian art. At Persepolis, rosettes of the same form as found on this stater adorn a chariot on the north face of the Apadana, they adorn the bridle of a bull fighting a lion, and frame the scene on the stairway façade of Palace H, and can be seen on parts of the façade of Palace G (now moved to Palace H). In Persian art, the rosette is often used to depict a lotus seen from above, and the same Palace G façade also features a column of lotus blossums above the rosettes. E. Herzfeld′s drawings from Persepolis often depict the lotus and rosette used in conjunction (see, e.g., Drawing, "Excavation of Persepolis [Iran]: Apadana, East Side, Ceremonial Staircases: Carvings of Palms," 1905-1934, FSA A.6 05.0899, Ernst Herzfeld Papers, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives, Smithsonian Institution). Thus, the rosette and lotus have long connections in Persian art, and are often found in conjunction. Their use is also attested in ancient Egyptian art, but the importation of the symbols on coins in Asia Minor are more likely a result of Persian influence.
It seems thus that this coin was issued after the Persians conquered western Asia Minor in the mid 6th century, but probably not much later, as the configuration and style of the reverse punches seem closely related to the early staters of Miletos. But what of the interpretation of the design? The rosette and lotus symbols are likely to be interpreted as one, rather than two separate images, simply depicting the flower from the side and above. Their meaning in Persian art is manifold: divinity, light, heaven, or royal authority are often suggested. More perplexing is the primary type, the forepart of a horse. Like the rosette and lotus, horse protomes are well known from Persepolis, particularly as capitals. In essence, the design in total, horse forepart with lotus and rosette, can be viewed as intrinsically Persian, and probably is symbolic of Persian authority. Highly important coin and exceedingly rare, probably no more than about 10 specimens known.
Fischer-Bossert, Horses, Series I, 2 (dies H2/H1-H3) ; Weidauer 138–9; ACGC 56 ;
Konuk & Lorber fig. 7 ; Le Rider, Naissance, pl. III, 7 ; Traité pl. II, 24 ;
SNG Kayhan 714 (same punches) ; Mitchiner ATAEC 135 (Ephesos) RRR
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IONIA, EPHESOS - PHANES - EL Myshemihekte or 1/24 Stater, circa 625-600 BC
weight 0,58gr. ; electrum Ø 6mm.
obv. Forepart of stag right, with head looking back
rev. Square punch mark with geometric pattern
The Phanes coins, so called for the name inscribed on the larger denominations, are early electrum coins from Ionia in Asia Minor and are the most ancient inscribed coin series at present known. These coins date from circa 625-600 BC and are amongst the earliest of Greek coins. The Phanes coins are a series of electrum coins issued in seven denominations: stater, 1/3, 1/6, 1/12, 1/24, 1/48, and 1/96 stater. The staters weigh 14.1 grams. All of the coins have the image of a stag or part of a stag on them. The coins were likely struck at Ephesus. On the staters we see the legend ΦANEOS EMIΣHMA, the smaller denominations are without legend. It is considered likely that Phanes, which is not a common Greek name, was a merchant or perhaps tyrant of Ephesos who adopted an emblem (stag) of the presiding goddess of Ephesos, Artemis. However, it must be said that at that time the stag was not the usual emblem of Artemis, that was the bee at that time. Partly for this reason, there are scholars who consider attribution to Ephesus less likely. David Sear prefers Halikarnassos as mint for these series. Kastner (1986) argues on linguistic grounds that ″Phanes″ is either a place-name or a reference to an otherwise unknown goddess or a place. However, Ephesus remains the most widely used and accepted attribution among numismatists for the time being. One, a hemihekte (a twelfth stater) of the issue, was found in a jar in the foundations of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesos dated to the late seventh century BC, making that the earliest known hoard of coins (Artemision Hoard 1904). Very rare.
BMC-; SNG.Copenhagen-; SNG.von Aulock 7773 ; Zhuyuetang 9 ;
Weidauer- (cf. 36-37=1/12 stater) ; Babelon,Traité- ; Boston MFA- ;
Rosen Coll.- ; Fischer-Bossert, Phanes 42 ; Mitchiner ATAEC 236 ; Sear- RR
attractive for the type
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IONIA, EPHESOS - AR ¼ Stater or drachm, circa 550-500 BC
weight 3,14gr. ; silver Ø 13mm.
Milesian standard. Anepigraphic issue. Bee without spirals and with straight wings.
obv. Bee
rev. Rough incuse punch
One of the very early drachms of Ephesos. Very rare.
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- ; Head, period I, 10 (pl. I, 8) ;
Babelon, Traité pl.XI, 15 ; SNG.Tübingen- ; Rosen Collection- ; McClean- ;
Weber collection- ; Mitchiner ATAEC- ; Sammlung Klein- ; SNG.Kayhan 113-114 ;
Aufhäuser 11, 84 ; Karwiese, series V (plate 3) ; Sear- (cf. 3517) RR
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IONIA, EPHESOS - AR ¼ Stater or drachm, circa 500-475 BC
weight 3,07gr. ; silver Ø 13mm.
obv. Bee, E - Φ in upper field
rev. Quadripartite square incuse
Milesian standard. Bee with spirals and with curved wings.
BMC 7 ; SNG.Copenhagen 208 ; SNG.von Aulock 7818 ;
Head, period II, page 19, no.2 (pl. I, 11) ; Sear 4360 ;
SNG.Tübingen 2760 ; Rosen Collection 571 ; McClean 8061 ;
Weber collection- ; Mitchiner ATAEC 484 ; Sammlung Klein- ;
SNG.Kayhan 121-122 ; Karwiese, series VI, type 2A (plate 4) ;
Babelon, Traité II, 1866 (pl. CLII, 10)
very attractive, well-centered, specimen
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IONIA, EPHESOS - AR ¼ Stater or drachm, circa 500-475 BC
weight 3,09gr. ; silver Ø 13mm.
obv. Bee
rev. Quadripartite square incuse
Milesian standard. Anepigraphic issue.
Bee with spirals and with light curved wings.
BMC 6 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- ; Head, period I, 12 (pl. I, 10) ;
Babelon, Traité I, 439 (pl.XI, 16) ; SNG.Tübingen- ; Rosen Collection 570 ;
McClean- (cf. 8061) ; Weber collection- ; Mitchiner ATAEC 482 ; Sear 3517 ;
Sammlung Klein- ; cf. SNG.Kayhan 119 ; Karwiese serie VI, 1A R
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IONIA, EPHESOS - AR 1/48 Stater or tetartemorion, circa 475-425 BC
weight 0,18gr. ; silver Ø 5mm.
obv. Bee facing
rev. Eagle head right, within shallow square incuse
Persian standard (1/48 shekel or stater). Milesian standard (1/64 stater).
Anepigraphic issue. Very rare.
BMC 24var. ; SNG.Copenhagen 211var. ; SNG.von Aulock - (cf. 7816) ;
SNG.München- ; SNG.Tübingen- ; Sammlung Klein 370var. ;
Rosen collection- ; cf. Babelon, Traité II, pag.1090, no. 1871 ;
Kayhan 130 ; Karwiese, serie IV, type 1 (p. 198, no.25) ;
McClean 8062var. ; Mitchiner ATAEC 485var. ; Head- RR
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IONIA, EPHESOS - AR 1/48 Stater or tetartemorion, circa 475-425 BC
weight 0,17gr. ; silver Ø 7mm.
obv. Bee facing
rev. Eagle head right, E Φ in front, within shallow square incuse
Persian standard (1/48 shekel or stater). Milesian standard (1/64 stater).
Bee with spirals and no legend on obverse. Rare.
BMC 24var. ; SNG.Copenhagen 211var. ; SNG.von Aulock 7816var. ;
SNG.München- ; SNG.Tübingen- ; Sammlung Klein 370 ;
Rosen collection- ; Babelon, Traité II, pag.1090, no. 1871 ;
Kayhan 131 ; Karwiese, serie IV, type 4 (p. 200, no.30) ;
McClean 8062 ; Mitchiner ATAEC 485 ; Head- R
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IONIA, EPHESOS - AR ¼ Stater or drachm, circa 450-420 BC
weight 3,31gr. ; silver Ø 14mm.
Milesian standard. Bee with spirals and with curved wings.
obv. Bee surrounded by the legend; EF - ESI - O - И within dotted circle
rev. Quadripartite square incuse
BMC 12-13 ; SNG.Copenhagen 210 ; SNG.von Aulock 7819 ;
Head, period II, page 20, no.7 (pl. I, 13) ; Rosen Collection - (cf. 571) ;
Babelon, Traité II, 1867 (pl. CLII, 11) ; SNG.Tübingen - (cf. 2760) ;
McClean 8063 ; Weber collection 5833 ; Mitchiner ATAEC - (cf. 484) ;
SNG. München 20 ; Sammlung Klein- ; SNG.Kayhan 140 ; Sear 3517var. R
attractive Ephesian drachm of the early classical times
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IONIA, EPHESOS - AR Hemidrachm or triobol, circa 425-400 BC
weight 1,52gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Bee, E - Φ in upper field
rev. Quadripartite square incuse with rough pattern
BMC 18-19 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock 1824 ;
SNG.Delepierre 2596-2597 ; Sammlung Klein 373 ;
SNG.München 22 ; Head, period III, page 24, no.13 (pl. I, 16) ;
Rosen Collection - ; Babelon, Traité II, 1868 (pl. CLII, 14) ;
SNG.Tübingen - ; McClean 8064 ; Weber collection- ;
Mitchiner ATAEC - ; SNG.Kayhan - ; Sear 4368 R
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IONIA, EPHESOS - TIMARCHOS, magistrate - AR Didrachm, circa 404-394 BC
weight 7,33gr. ; silver Ø 16mm.
obv. Bee with straight wings; E-Φ flanking, TIMAPXOΣ below
rev. Quadripartite square incuse
This didrachm was struck at the time when Ephesus had broken its alliance with Athens. The exact year when Ephesos broke away from the Athenian alliance we cannot ascertain, but probably circa 415 BC. It is probable that Tissaphernes, the new satrap of Ionia, had succeeded even before the Athenean defeat in Sicily, in reuniting Ephesos with Persia, not by open force, but by means of the powerful Asiatic party within the territory of Ephesos itself. In 410 BC Thrasylos, the Athenean admiral, made an attempt to recover the city, which had by this time become the headquarters of the Persian power on the Ionian coast; but as soon as Tissaphernes got wind of the intentions of Thrasylos, he sent a detachment of cavalry to Ephesos, and by fanning the flames of religious enthusiasm and calling upon all the people to rally to the assistance of their goddess, he signally defeated Thrasylos, and thus Ephesos remaind in the hands of the Persians. Shortly after this, circa 407 BC, the Spartan Lysandros took up his quarters at Ephesos, as being the nearest point to Sardes, where the young prince Cyrus was shortly expected to arrive.
Of Lysandros presence in Ephesos the Greek historian Plutarchos recorded the following; ″When Lysandros came to Ephesos, he found that the city well-inclined to the Lacedaemonians (Spartan customs and practices), but in a bad condition as to its internal policy, and in danger of falling into the barbarous manners of the Persians, because it was near Lydia and the king′s lieutenants often visited Ephesos. Lysandros therefore, having fixed his quarters in Ephesos, ordered all his store-ships to be brought into the Harbour of Ephesos and he also built a dock for his ships. By these means he filled their ports with merchandise, their market with business, and their houses and shops with money, so that from time and from his services Ephesos began to conveive hopes of that greatness and spledour in which she now flourishes″.
In 406 Lysandros was recalled to Sparta, and was superseded by the noble-minded Kallikratides, who, unfortunately for Greece, perished in the same year at the Battle of Arginusae. On his death the Ionians held a meeting at Ephesos, at which it was decided to send an embassy to Sparta to ask that Lysandros might be again sent out. The Spantans consented, and accordingly in 405 BC Lysandros was again welcomed by the Ephesians, and in the year following was honoured by them, after his victory over the Athenians at Aegospotami, with a statue in the Temple of Artemis. Under the Spartan king Agesilaos, the Greek party once more gained the upper hand at Ephesos, circa 396 BC, where the Spartan king, as Lysandros had done before him, took up his quarters, and during his stay the coast-town were exempt from all tribute to Persia. In 394 BC. the Athenian admiral Konon defeated the Spartan fleet at Knidos. Then the coastal cities of Asia Minor and Rhodes were visited one by one to expel the Spartans. The cities were promised freedom and autonomy and the Athenians were welcomed everywhere as the liberators. For the first time Ephesos obtained full and complete autonomy.
This didrachm was minted in this period, when Ephesos revolted against Athens and was under the protection of the Spartans. It is the only didrachma from that period with mention of a magistrate′s name, namely Timarchos. He will undoubtedly have been an important man in the Ephesos of his time, which was reason to mention his name on this rare issue. Had Ephesos before 415 BC. coins minted according to the Phoenician standard, from 415 it started minting according to the mint standard of Chios. After 394 this coinage system was also abandoned and the Rhodian standard was chosen. Historically a highly interesting coin and very rare.
BMC 16 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock - ; Head pag 23, no.3 (pl. I, 17) ;
SNG.München- ; McClean- ; SNG.Kayhan 143 ; Hekatomnos Hoard pl.7,7b ;
SNG.Tübingen- ; Weber- ; Babelon- ; Karwiese, serie 9.2, 175 ; Sear 4365 RR
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IONIA, EPHESOS - AR Diobol, 390-330 BC
weight 0,96gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
Struck according to the Rhodian standard.
obv. Bee, E - Φ in upper field
rev. Two stag′s heads confronted, E Φ above
Both the deer and the bee are depicted on this coin.
Both animals are related to Artemis and symbolize this goddess of Ephesos.
cf. NAC Auction 124, lot 205 (in xf/unc: SFR 1.700 + 23%)
BMC 53 ; SNG.Copenhagen 242 ; SNG.von Aulock 1835 ;
McClean- ; SNG.München 32 ; SNG.Tübingen 2764 ;
SNG.Kayhan 194 ; Weber collection 5842 ; Boston 1827 ;
SNG Lockett 2810 ; Head, period V, page 37, plate II, 6 ;
Babelon, Traité II, 1888 (pl. CLII, 33) ; Sear 4375 ; Slg.Klein 374
light off-centre strike for the obverse
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IONIA, EPHESOS - AR Diobol, 390-330 BC
weight 0,87gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
Struck according to the Rhodian standard.
obv. Bee, E - Φ in upper field
rev. Two stag′s heads confronted, E Φ above
Both the deer and the bee are depicted on this coin.
Both animals are related to Artemis and symbolize this goddess of Ephesos.
cf. NAC Auction 124, lot 205 (in xf/unc: SFR 1.700 + 23%)
BMC 53 ; SNG.Copenhagen 242 ; SNG.von Aulock 1835 ; McClean- ;
SNG.München 32 ; SNG.Tübingen 2764 ; Slg.Klein 374 ; SNG.Kayhan 194 ;
Weber collection 5842 ; Boston 1827 ; SNG Lockett 2810 ; Sear 4375 ;
Head, period V, page 37, plate II, 6 ; Babelon, Traité II, 1888 (pl. CLII, 33)
light traces of oxidation
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IONIA, EPHESOS - AE 11, circa 375-350 BC
weight 1,22gr. ; bronze Ø 11mm.
obv. Turreted female head left, wearing necklace
rev. Bee deviding E - Φ in upperfield
Head dates these pieces to the period 280-258 BC, but recent studies have indicated that these pieces are older (Philipp Kinns, The Attic Weight Drachms of Ephesus; A Preliminary Study in the Light of Recent Hoards, in: NC 1999, pp. 47-97, pl.38-46).
BMC 68 ; SNG.Copenhagen 256 ; SNG.von Aulock 1839 ; Slg. Klein 378 ;
SNG.München 52 ; SNG.Tübingen- ; McClean- ; Weber collection 5850 ;
Lindgren collection- ; Head, period VIII, page 47 (pl. III, 16) ; Sear 4409
dark green patina
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IONIA, EPHESOS - CHELON, magistrate - AE 13, circa 350-300 BC
weight 2,04gr. ; bronze 13mm.
variant: without the usual astragalos on reverse
obv. Bee deviding E - Φ in upperfield
rev. Stag kneeling left, looking back, XEΛON to left
Head dates these pieces to the period 280-258 BC, but recent studies have indicated that these pieces are older (Philipp Kinns, The Attic Weight Drachms of Ephesus; A Preliminary Study in the Light of Recent Hoards, in: NC 1999, pp. 47-97, pl.38-46). Very rare.
BMC - ; SNG.Copenhagen 253var. ; SNG.von Aulock- ; Sear- (cf. 4402) ;
Sammlung Klein - ; SNG.Kayhan- ; McClean- ; Weber collection- ;
cf. Head, period VIII, page 47 ; Babelon, Traité II, 1893var. ;
Imhoof-Blumer, Kleinasiatische Münzen, p.50, no.13var. RR
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IONIA, EPHESOS - (…)APPOS, magistrate - AE 13, circa 350-300 BC
weight 1,88gr. ; bronze 13mm.
obv. Bee deviding E - Φ in upperfield
rev. Stag kneeling left, looking back, astragalos above, (...)AΠΠOΣ to left
Head dates these pieces to the period 280-258 BC, but recent studies have indicated that these pieces are older (Philipp Kinns, The Attic Weight Drachms of Ephesus; A Preliminary Study in the Light of Recent Hoards, in: NC 1999 , p.93).
BMC - (cf. 63) ; SNG.Copenhagen - (cf. 248) ; SNG.von Aulock- (cf. 1838);
cf. Head page 47 ; cf. Babelon, Traité II, 1893 ; Sear- (cf. 4402) RR
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IONIA, EPHESOS - ARTEMIDOROS, magistrate - AE 15, circa 190-150 BC
weight 2,44gr. ; bronze Ø 15mm.
obv. Bee, deviding E - Φ in upper field, within laurel-wreath
rev. Stag feeding right, above, quiver, magistrate′s name (AP)TEMIΔO(POΣ) in exergue
Head dates these pieces to the period 280-258 BC, but recent studies have indicated that these pieces are younger (Philipp Kinns, The Attic Weight Drachms of Ephesus; A Preliminary Study in the Light of Recent Hoards, in: NC 1999, pp. 47-97, pl.38-46). This magistrate seems to be unpublished for this coin type in the relevant reference literature. Extremely rare.
cf. BMC 84 ; cf. SNG.Copenhagen 269 ; cf. SNG.von Aulock 1842 ;
cf. Slg. Klein 382 ; cf. SNG.München 61 ; cf. SNG.Tübingen 2774 ;
McClean- ; cf. Weber collection 5854 ; Lindgren collection- ;
Head, period VIII, page 48 ; cf. Sear 4406 RRR
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IONIA, EPHESOS - AGENOR, magistrate - AE 16, circa 190-150 BC
weight 4,82gr. ; bronze Ø 16mm.
obv. Bee, deviding E - Φ in upper field, within laurel-wreath
rev. Stag feeding right, above, quiver,
magistrate′s name AΓENO(P) in exergue
Head dates these pieces to the period 280-258 BC, but recent studies have indicated that these pieces are younger (Philipp Kinns, The Attic Weight Drachms of Ephesus; A Preliminary Study in the Light of Recent Hoards, in: NC 1999, pp. 47-97, pl.38-46). Very rare magistrate.
BMC 83 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock - ; Slg. Klein - ;
SNG.München - ; SNG.Tübingen - ; McClean- ; Weber collection - ;
SNG.Kayhan- ; Lindgren collection- ; Head, period VIII, page 48 ;
cf. Sear 4406 RR
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IONIA, EPHESOS - ROMAN GOVERNMENT - AR Cistophoric tetradrachm, year 4 (130 BC)
weight 12,37gr. ; silver Ø 31mm.
The cistophoric tetradrachme had the value of 3 denarii.
obv. Cista Mystica with half-open lid, from which a serpent emerges,
within heavy ivy-wreath
rev. Two coiled serpents with heads erect, between them strung bow
in gorytos (case) decorated with leaf pattern, Δ between the heads,
EΦE to left, flaming torch to right
The cistophoric coinage of Asia Minor has always attracted the attention of numerous historians and numismatists. Its unique monetary standards and peculiar political message has made it one of the most intriguing types of tetradrachm in the eastern Mediterranean. The coin was initially created to establish a closed economic policy in Asia Minor centering Pergamon and served as a tribute to Dionysus. Its design was meant to invoke the Attalids′ descends from Dionysus. Despite this political design, coinage of the cistophoric tetradrachme was continued when the kingdom was bequeathed to the Roman Republican government in 133 BC. Throughout the Late Roman Republic, especially in the time of Markus Antonius and Augustus, the economic value and political designs changed significantly. The transitions of this era include changes in the coins′ silver content, weight, mint locations, and political messages.
BMC - ; SNG.Copenhagen 319 ; Weber collection- ;
SNG.von Aulock 7847 ; SNG.Tübingen - ; McClean- ; Head- ;
SNG.München- ; Kleiner/Noe series 43b ; ; Sear- (cf. 4393) R
Very nice specimen with attractive toning, struck on a broad flan.
Rare.
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IONIA, EPHESOS - ROMAN GOVERNMENT - AR Cistophoric tetradrachm, year 9 (125 BC)
weight 10,88gr. ; silver Ø 26mm.
The cistophoric tetradrachme had the value of 3 denarii.
obv. Cista Mystica with half-open lid, from which a serpent emerges,
within heavy ivy-wreath
rev. Two coiled serpents with heads erect, between them strung bow
in gorytos (case) decorated with leaf pattern, between the heads cultus-statue
of Ephesian Artemis, Θ / EΦE on the left, flaming torch on the right
The cistophoric coinage of Asia Minor has always attracted the attention of numerous historians and numismatists. Its unique monetary standards and peculiar political message has made it one of the most intriguing types of tetradrachm in the eastern Mediterranean. The coin was initially created to establish a closed economic policy in Asia Minor centering Pergamon and served as a tribute to Dionysus. Its design was meant to invoke the Attalids′ descends from Dionysus. Despite this political design, coinage of the cistophoric tetradrachme was continued when the kingdom was bequeathed to the Roman Republican government in 133 BC. Throughout the Late Roman Republic, especially in the time of Mark Antony and Augustus, the economic value and political designs changed significantly. The transitions of this era include changes in the coins′ silver content, weight, mint locations, and political messages.
BMC 158 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; Weber collection - ;
SNG.von Aulock - ; SNG.Tübingen - ; McClean - ;
SNG.München- ; Head, period XI, page 66 ;
Pinder- ; Sear- (cf. 4393) R
Very minor traces of oxidation. Rare.
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IONIA, EPHESOS - ROMAN GOVERNMENT - AR Cistophoric tetradrachm, year 46 (88 BC)
weight 12,60gr. ; silver Ø 27mm.
The cistophoric tetradrachme had the value of 3 denarii.
obv. Cista Mystica with half-open lid, from which a serpent emerges,
within heavy ivy-wreath
rev. Two coiled serpents with heads erect, between them strung bow
in gorytos (case) decorated with leaf pattern, between the heads headdress
of Isis, M⊏ EΦE to left, flaming torch to right
The cistophoric coinage of Asia Minor has always attracted the attention of numerous historians and numismatists. Its unique monetary standards and peculiar political message has made it one of the most intriguing types of tetradrachm in the eastern Mediterranean. The coin was initially created to establish a closed economic policy in Asia Minor centering Pergamon and served as a tribute to Dionysus. Its design was meant to invoke the Attalids′ descends from Dionysus. Despite this political design, coinage of the cistophoric tetradrachme was continued when the kingdom was bequeathed to the Roman Republican government in 133 BC. Throughout the Late Roman Republic, especially in the time of Mark Antony and Augustus, the economic value and political designs changed significantly. The transitions of this era include changes in the coins′ silver content, weight, mint locations, and political messages.
BMC - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; Weber collection - ; Pinder 37 ;
SNG.von Aulock - ; SNG.Tübingen - ; McClean - ; Sear- (cf. 4393) ;
SNG.München- ; Mionnet S. III, no.262 ; Head, period XI, page 66 R
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IONIA, EPHESOS - ROMAN GOVERNMENT - AR Cistophoric tetradrachm, year 66 (68 BC)
weight 12,38gr. ; silver Ø 25mm.
The cistophoric tetradrachme had the value of 3 denarii.
obv. Cista Mystica with half-open lid, from which a serpent emerges,
within heavy ivy-wreath
rev. Two coiled serpents with heads erect, between them strung bow
in gorytos (case) decorated with leaf pattern, between the heads two cornucopiae
between which ear of corn surmounted by headdress of Isis, Ξ⊏ EΦE to left,
flaming torch to right
The cistophoric coinage of Asia Minor has always attracted the attention of numerous historians and numismatists. Its unique monetary standards and peculiar political message has made it one of the most intriguing types of tetradrachm in the eastern Mediterranean. The coin was initially created to establish a closed economic policy in Asia Minor centering Pergamon and served as a tribute to Dionysus. Its design was meant to invoke the Attalids′ descends from Dionysus. Despite this political design, coinage of the cistophoric tetradrachme was continued when the kingdom was bequeathed to the Roman Republican government in 133 BC. Throughout the Late Roman Republic, especially in the time of Mark Antony and Augustus, the economic value and political designs changed significantly. The transitions of this era include changes in the coins′ silver content, weight, mint locations, and political messages.
BMC 170 ; SNG.Copenhagen 334 ; Weber collection 5866var. ;
SNG.von Aulock 7854 ; SNG.Tübingen 2788 ; McClean 8098 ;
SNG.München- ; Head, period XI, page 67 ; cf. Pinder 50 ;
Sear- (cf. 4393)
obverse off-centre strike
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IONIA, MAGNESIA ON THE MAEANDER - LYKOMEDES, magistrate - AR Hemidrachm, circa 350-325 BC
weight 1,64gr. ; silver Ø 13mm.
obv. Hero Leukippos prancing right, wearing helmet,
cuirass and chlamys, holding couched spear in right hand
rev. Humped bull buting left on maeander pattern, ear of grain
on right, ΛYKOMH above, MAΓ in exergue
According to the founding myth of the city the Magnesians, who had settled in Krete after leaving their original homeland in Thessalia, saw white crows flying overhead. Thinking this was a sign that they should return to their native land, they consulted the oracle at Delphi. The oracle told them that instead they were to settle in a different country, and that they would be led there by a man called Leukippos (″white horse″). Leukippos led them to a place called Mandrolytia, where the king′s daughter, Leukophryene, fell in love with him and betrayed her father′s city by opening the gates to Leukippos, thus allowing him to establish the archaic city of Magnesia on the Maeander. The legendary founder of the city, Leukippos, was depicted on the coins minted in the city together with a hump-backed ox. On the other hand, the memory of Leukophryene was remembered in the epithet of the city′s chief goddess - Artemis Leucophryene - and it was believed that the heroine was buried in the sanctuary of this goddess.
BMC - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock - ;
Weber collection- ; McClean- ; SNG.München 589 ;
SNG.Tübingen- (cf. 2027) ; Sear- RR
very rare
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IONIA, MAGNESIA ON THE MAEANDER - LYKOMEDES, magistrate - AR Didrachm, circa 350-325 BC
weight 7,11gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
obv. Hero Leukippos prancing right, wearing helmet,
cuirass and chlamys, holding couched spear in right hand
rev. Humped bull buting left, MAΓN above,
ΛYKOMHΔ in exergue, all within maeander pattern
According to the founding myth of the city, the Magnesians, who had settled in Krete after leaving their original homeland in Thessalia, saw white crows flying overhead. Thinking this was a sign that they should return to their native land, they consulted the oracle at Delphi. The oracle told them that instead they were to settle in a different country, and that they would be led there by a man called Leukippos (″white horse″). Leukippos led them to a place called Mandrolytia, where the king′s daughter, Leukophryene, fell in love with him and betrayed her father’s city by opening the gates to Leukippos, thus allowing him to establish the archaic city of Magnesia on the Maeander. The legendary founder of the city, Leukippos, was depicted on the coins minted in the city together with a hump-backed ox. On the other hand, the memory of Leukophryene was remembered in the epithet of the city′s chief goddess - Artemis Leucophryene - and it was believed that the heroine was buried in the sanctuary of this goddess.
It is possible that the individuals named on the Magnesian coins were not officials, but wealthy men who performed a Leiturgeia, a work for the state (in this case, a donation that enabled the coins to be minted), and were therefore honoured by having their names mentioned on the coins. See Jones, Wreathed Tetradrachms of Magnesia, in: ANSMN 24 (1979), p. 81.
♦ Wonderful lustrous example with fine details. Extremely rare. ♦
BMC - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock - ; Weber collection- ;
SNG.Kayhan ; McClean- ; SNG.München - ; SNG.Tübingen- ;
Babelon, Inventaire Waddington 1723 ; Sear- RRR
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IONIA, MAGNESIA ON THE MAEANDER - PITHION, magistrate - AR Drachm, circa 350-325 BC
weight 3,61gr. ; silver Ø 16mm.
obv. Hero Leukippos prancing right, wearing helmet,
cuirass and chlamys, holding couched spear in right hand
rev. Humped bull buting left, MAΓ above, ear of corn on right,
ΠITΘI in exergue, all within maeander pattern
According to the founding myth of the city, the Magnesians, who had settled in Krete after leaving their original homeland in Thessalia, saw white crows flying overhead. Thinking this was a sign that they should return to their native land, they consulted the oracle at Delphi. The oracle told them that instead they were to settle in a different country, and that they would be led there by a man called Leukippos (″white horse″). Leukippos led them to a place called Mandrolytia, where the king′s daughter, Leukophryene, fell in love with him and betrayed her father′s city by opening the gates to Leukippos, thus allowing him to establish the archaic city of Magnesia on the Maeander. The legendary founder of the city, Leukippos, was depicted on the coins minted in the city together with a hump-backed ox. On the other hand, the memory of Leukophryene was remembered in the epithet of the city′s chief goddess - Artemis Leucophryene - and it was believed that the heroine was buried in the sanctuary of this goddess.
BMC - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock - ; Weber collection- ;
McClean- ; SNG.München - ; SNG.Tübingen- ; SNG.Cambridge 4505 ;
cf. Festschrift Kraay-Mørkholm (1989), page 137, 4 ; Sear- RRR
Beautiful specimen with fine details and attractive toning.
Extremely rare.
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IONIA, MAGNESIA ON THE MAEANDER - XENON, SON OF NIKAIOU, magistrate - AR Attic octobol, circa 250-180 BC
weight 5,22gr. ; silver Ø 20mm.
obv. Hero Leukippos prancing right, wearing helmet, cuirass and chlamys,
holding couched spear in right hand, P with dot inside below forelegs of horse
rev. Humped bull buting left on base line, MAΓH above, branch on right,
ΞENΩN NIKAIOY in exergue, all within maeander pattern
According to the founding myth of the city of the Magnesians, who had settled in Krete after leaving their original homeland in Thessalia, saw white crows flying overhead. Thinking this was a sign that they should return to their native land, they consulted the oracle at Delphi. The oracle told them that instead they were to settle in a different country, and that they would be led there by a man called Leukippos (″white horse″). Leukippos led them to a place called Mandrolytia, where the king′s daughter, Leukophryene, fell in love with him and betrayed her father′s city by opening the gates to Leukippos, thus allowing him to establish the archaic city of Magnesia on the Maeander. The legendary founder of the city, Leukippos, was depicted on the coins minted in the city together with a hump-backed ox. On the other hand, the memory of Leukophryene was remembered in the epithet of the city′s chief goddess - Artemis Leucophryene - and it was believed that the heroine was buried in the sanctuary of this goddess.
BMC - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock - ; McClean- ;
Weber collection- ; SNG.München - ; SNG.Tübingen- ; Sear- RRR
Extremely rare.
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IONIA, MAGNESIA ON THE MAEANDER (AD MAEANDRUM) - EUKLEIS KRATINOS - AE 14, circa 190-130 BC
weight 3,90gr. ; bronze Ø 14mm.
obv. Stag standing right, star in left upper field, MAΓNE(TΩN) in exergue (off-flan)
rev. Cultstatue of Artemis Leukophryene with supports facing,
EYKΛHΣ to right, KPATINOΣ to left
The town, which Strabo saw, was remarkable for its temple of Artemis Leukophryene, which in size and the number of its treasures was surpassed by the temple of Ephesus, but in beauty and the harmony of its parts was superior to all the temples in Asia Minor. The temple to Artemis is said by Vitruvius to have been built by the architect Hermogenes, in the Ionic style.
BMC 47 ; Sear 4496 ; SNG.von Aulock- ; SNG.Copenhagen 853 ;
Weber collection 6009 ; Lindgren collection- ; McClean- ;
SNG.München 609 ; SNG.Tübingen 2958
Minor traces of oxidation. Attractive dark patina.
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IONIA, MAGNESIA ON THE MAEANDER (AD MAEANDRUM) - EUKLEIS KRATINOS - AE 15, circa 190-130 BC
weight 4,20gr. ; bronze Ø 15mm.
obv. Stag standing right, star in left upper field, MAΓNE(TΩN) in exergue (not readable)
rev. Cultstatue of Artemis Leukophryene with supports facing,
EYKΛHΣ to right, KPATINOΣ to left
The town, which Strabo saw, was remarkable for its temple of Artemis Leukophryene, which in size and the number of its treasures was surpassed by the temple of Ephesus, but in beauty and the harmony of its parts was superior to all the temples in Asia Minor. The temple to Artemis is said by Vitruvius to have been built by the architect Hermogenes, in the Ionic style.
This coin has an serrated edge. This is not original but done later by hand, although in ancient times. Probably it was used as a kind of token / tessera. Interesting and rare.
BMC 47 ; Sear 4496 ; SNG.von Aulock- ; SNG.Copenhagen 853 ;
Weber collection 6009 ; Lindgren collection- ; McClean- ;
SNG.München 609 ; SNG.Tübingen 2958
Attractive dark patina.
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IONIA, MAGNESIA ON THE MAEANDER (AD MAEANDRUM) - EUKLEIS AISCHRIONOS - AE 16, circa 150-75 BC
weight 3,11gr. ; bronze Ø 16mm.
obv. Radiate head of Helios right, bow and quiver at shoulder,
MAΓNHTΩN below
rev. Cultstatue of Artemis Leukophryene with supports facing,
EYKΛHΣ on right, AIΣXPIΩNOΣ on left
The town, which Strabo saw, was remarkable for its temple of Artemis Leukophryene, which in size and the number of its treasures was surpassed by the temple of Ephesus, but in beauty and the harmony of its parts was superior to all the temples in Asia Minor. The temple to Artemis is said by Vitruvius to have been built by the architect Hermogenes, in the Ionic style.
BMC 48 ; Sear 4495 ; SNG.von Aulock- ; SNG.Copenhagen 854 ;
Weber collection- ; Lindgren collection- McClean- ;
SNG.München 610 ; SNG.Tübingen 2959 R
Beautiful bronze coin with dark-green patina. Rare.
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IONIA, MAGNESIA ON THE MAEANDER (AD MAEANDRUM) - EUPHEMOS,SON OF PAUSANIAS, magistrate - AV Stater, circa 125-120 BC
weight 8,43gr. ; gold Ø 19mm.
obv. Draped bust of Artemis right, wearing stephanos, hair drawn
together and tied in the back, bow and quiver over shoulder
rev. Nike, holding kentron in right hand, reins in left, driving fast
biga of horses right; MAΓNH(TΩN) above, EYΦHMOΣ ΠAYΣANIOY
in two lines below
The town of Magnesia, which Strabo saw, was remarkable for its temple of Artemis Leukophryene, which in size and the number of its treasures was surpassed by the temple of Ephesus, but in beauty and the harmony of its parts was superior to all the temples in Asia Minor. The temple to Artemis is said by Vitruvius to have been built by the architect Hermogenes, in the Ionic style.
The name on this issue is the same as that on an issue of stephanephori that was struck circa 150-140 BC. Whether these two issues name the same individual is uncertain. In his study of the stephanephoroi of Magnesia, Jones connected that individual with the neokoros of the temple of Artemis Leukophryene named in an inscription dated to 112/1 BC (IC III iv 9). If this is correct, then it would be reasonable to assume that this individual was also responsible for the present issue of staters. It is also possible that these similarly-named individuals were two members of the same family, such as a grandfather and grandson.
The appearance of this previously unknown issue at Magnesia adds another city of western Asia Minor to the list of those that struck a gold coinage in the late Hellenistic period. Previously, such issues were known at Ephesos, Miletos, Smryna, and Tralles. Until Jenkins′ study of the Ephesos staters in 1987 (see Jenkins, Hellenistic), all of these were previously thought to have been issues struck in celebration of Mithradates VI′s liberation of the cities from Roman control. With the exception of Smyrna and a discrete portion of the issues of Ephesos, all are now known to have been struck in the mid-late 2nd century BC, as there are direct parallels between the staters and various cistophori struck in their respective cities. All of these staters are civic in nature, featuring the patron deity of the city on the obverse, and reverses referencing aspects of each city′s particular civic identity.
The fact that Magnesia did not strike cistophori is one aspect that separates the present issue from the other cities′ gold. Thus, the dating of the issue relies upon the assumption that the ″magistrate″ named is the same as that found on the stephanophoroi, as noted above. The reverse design also distinguishes this issue. While the obverse is unexceptional, featuring the same profile portrait of Artemis found on the stephanephoroi and later bronze issues, the reverse with Nike driving a fast biga is quite perplexing, as it does not apparently represent an aspect of the civic mythology or identity, but rather an actual event. The type likely commemorates some victory that had a local significance, but our knowledge of Magnesia′s history in the second century BC is scant. There are no political or military actions that are known for the period, but the type may be related to the games of the Leukophryena, which was an important panhellenic festival in honor of Artemis Leukophryene. If the ″magistrate″ named on the coin is the individual who held the position of the temple neokoros in 112/1 BC, then such a connection is quite likely.
It is possible that the individuals named on the Magnesian coins were not officials, but wealthy men who performed a Leiturgeia, a work for the state (in this case, a donation that enabled the coins to be minted), and were therefore honoured by having their names mentioned on the coins. See Jones, Wreathed Tetradrachms of Magnesia, in: ANSMN 24 (1979), p. 81.
This coin type has only been known since a recent coin hoard was discovered. That is why it is missing from older reference literature. Only since about 2016 have these gold staters been offered for sale with any regularity. This type of coin was probably only minted for a short period of time, and exclusively in the name of Euphemos, the son of Pausanias. Although always somewhat weakly struck with die rust on the obverse, these coins were probably not or hardly ever in circulation. No higher quality specimens exist. They also no longer cost €30,000–40,000, as they did in the beginning, but are now much more affordable and therefore accessible to a wider audience.
A remarkable type of coin, most likely minted to commemorate a
victory, either military or during a sporting event. Very rare.
cf. CNG Auction 106, 13 September 2017, Lot 376 (in vf+ : USD 13.000 + 18%)
BMC - ; Sear - ; SNG.von Aulock- ; SNG.Copenhagen - ;
Weber collection - ; Lindgren collection- ; McClean- ;
SNG.München - ; SNG.Tübingen - ; Delepierre - ; Pozzi - ;
Jameson - ; Ellis-Evans in FS Ashton (2021), Group A. RR
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IONIA, MILETOS - TIME OF KING KROISOS OF LYDIA - EL Stater, circa 560-545 BC
weight 13,96gr. ; electron 19 x 15mm.
obv. Lion reclining left, head reverted, within rectangular
frame divided into smaller rectangular compartments
rev. Central oblong punch, containing three pellets connected in Λ shape,
two parallel lines, and a fox standing left; flanked by two square punches
containing a stellate pattern (left) and a stag′s head right (right).
The earliest coins were of very high value. The standard coin, the stater struck from electrum (a natural alloy from gold and silver), was worth approximately a soldier′s monthly pay. The early coinage could thus only be used for large payments. The most famous coin type of ancient Miletus, and one of the earliest of all coins that can be attributed to a particular city, is this electrum stater that features a crouching lion regardant on the obverse, and three incuse punches on the reverse. Although they are not excessively rare, these electrum staters (weighing just over fourteen grams) are understandably very expensive. The fourteen-gram staters, however, represent only one denomination in a complete denominational series that also included thirds, sixths, twelfths, and twenty-fourths of a stater, and perhaps smaller denominations as well. These lesser denominations, not surprisingly, command less stratospheric prices. Several Greek cities, including Miletos, as well as the Lydian kings began minting these first coins by stamping the badge of their city into one side of a standard weight lump of electrum and various punches into the other. These devices were used to facilitate trade by certifying that the intrinsic value and weight of the metal was guaranteed by the issuing authority. Of these first coins, those of Miletos like the current example (circa 560-545 BC), are probably the finest from an artistic perspective. The lion, cleverly configured with its head reverted and tail curled over its haunch to neatly fit within the rectangular frame, is a masterpiece of Archaic Greek art. The vigor and ferocity of the beast are beautifully conveyed by its snarling countenance and erect mane.
Mitchiner (and other numismatists) relates the mintage of this cointype to the reign of the Lydian King Kroisos (circa 560-546 BC). The Ionian cities were economically important to Lydia as trading intermediaries who provided a commercial outlet to the sea. The first city he attacked was Ephesos in circa 558 BC, and thereafter he subdued the rest of Ionia. The cities thereafter paid tribute to Kroisos but appear to have retained a great deal of autonomy. Miletos prospered during the time of Kroisos and minted a refined and attractive electrum coinage of staters and fractions. The ″reclining lion in oblong frame″ characterized the staters, while most fractions bore only the head of the lion.
cf. BMC Lydia 183,2 ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock.- ;
Mitchiner ATAEC 190var. ; SNG.Kayhan 440var. ; cf. Babelon, Traité, Pl.I, 15 ;
Weidauer 126var. ; cf. Konuk & Lorber fig. 18 ; Rosen Collection- (cf. 577) ;
Kraay – (cf. Pl.3, no.55) ; cf. Kraay-Hirmer Plate 178, 591 ;
cf. Mionnet Suppl. IX (1839), plate 10,1 ; cf. Boston MFA.1882 ;
cf. Principal Coins of the Greeks I.A.7 ; Sear- (cf. 3439) ; Hilbert S.28.1 (this coin),
obverse A14 (plate 15) / reverse X-F11-Hk13 (plate 28) RR
A particularly well-struck and clear example for this issue.
Spectacular coin! Hard to find this nice. Very rare.
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IONIA, MILETOS - OULIADES, magistrate - AR Tetradrachm, circa 175 BC
weight 16,90gr. ; silver Ø 35mm.
obv. Laureate head of Apollo right within pearl-circle
rev. Lion standing right, head turned back, star above and
two monograms in front, MIΛHTIΩN above OYΛIAΔHΣ below
Minted after the Treaty of Apameia (188 BC), in which the Romans gave
control over a large part of Asia Minor to Eumenes II, King of Pergamon.
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock.- ; Jameson collection- ;
SNG.München-; SNG.Tübingen- ; Deppert-Lippitz pl.26,757 RRR
Very attractive and extremely rare coin, struck on a very broad flan.
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IONIA, PHOKAEA (PHOKAIA) - EL 1/6 Stater or hekte, circa 625-575 BC
weight 2,62gr. ; electron Ø 10mm.
obv. Head of griffin left; to right, small seal upward
rev. Quadripartite incuse square
Very early hekte of Phokaia in exceptional high quality.
– Little masterpiece. Very rare. –
cf. NAC, auction 126, 17 Nov. 2021, lot 231 (in xf: SFR 24.000 + 23%)
cf. BMC 13 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock 2117 ;
Bodenstedt Em. 12.; Boston, MFA 1892 ; McClean 8245var. ;
SNG.München 790 ; Babelon, Traité 150 (pl. IV, 22) RR
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IONIA, PHOKAEA (PHOKAIA) - AR 1/8 Stater or trihemiobol, circa 530 - 510 BC
weight 1,52gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Head of griffin left
rev. Quadripartite incuse square
Phokaea appears to have taken some time to recover from its reserves at the hands of the Persians during the repressions of 545 to 543 BC. The city had developed its trading links with the northeast by the 520′s BC and its tyrant, Laodamos, was present at the meeting of circa 513 BC. However, Phokaea only contributed three ships to the fleet at Lade in 494 BC, as against seventeen contributed by Teos. Phokaea had introduced its long series of electrum hectae during the 520′s BC, but the output was retrained until after circa 492 BC. Also few silver coins were minted to the Aeginetic silver standard; 1 Stater of 12,4 gram divided into 12 obol of circa 1,03gr.
BMC 82 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock 2116 ; SNG.Tübingen-;
SNG.Keckmann 300 ; Sammlung Klein-(vgl.449) ; SNG.Kayhan 515 ;
Mitchiner ATAEC 521-522 (Teos) ; Sear 3500A R
archaïc style
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IONIA, PHOKAEA (PHOKAIA) - AR 1/12 Stater or obol, circa 521 - 478 BC
weight 1,24gr. ; silver Ø 9mm.
obv. Archaic female head left (Amazone Phokaea ?),
wearing helmet or close fitting cap and rosette-shaped earring
rev. Rough incuse square
Sometimes this coin type is also attributed to Smyrna, among others by Michael Mitchiner, based on the fact that many of these coins were found during archaeological excavations at Smyrna. That does not alter the fact that there may be even more arguments for Phokaea as mint for this coin type. For example, at Phokaea electron hektae were struck that are almost identical to these silver obols. Such a close relationship suggests a similar diecutter and coin workshop. Most likely these silver coins were minted according to the Phocaean standard ; 1 stater of 16.1 gram, divided into 12 obols (ca.1,34gr).
BMC- ; SNG.von Aulock 1813 ; SNG.Tübingen 3117 ; Rosen Coll.597;
Sammlung Klein 452 ; SNG.Kayhan I, 524 ; Mitchiner ATAEC 448 (Smyrna) ;
Babelon Traité II, I, 531 ; SNG.Copenhagen 389-394 (Cyprus etc.)
Magnificent piece of beautiful achaic style. Rare this nice.
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IONIA, PHOKAEA (PHOKAIA) - AR 1/12 Stater or obol, circa 521 - 478 BC
weight 0,97gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Archaic female head left (Amazone Phokaea ?), wearing helmet or close fitting cap and rosette-shaped earring
rev. Rough incuse square
Sometimes this coin type is also attributed to Smyrna, among others by Michael Mitchiner, based on the fact that many of these coins were found during archaeological excavations at Smyrna. That does not alter the fact that there may be even more arguments for Phokaea as mint for this coin type. For example, at Phokaea electron hektae were struck that are almost identical to these silver obols. Such a close relationship suggests a similar diecutter and coin workshop. Most likely these silver coins were minted according to the Phocaean standard ; 1 stater of 16.1 gram, divided into 12 obols (ca.1,34gr).
BMC- ; SNG.von Aulock 1813 ; SNG.Tübingen 3117 ; Rosen Coll.597;
Sammlung Klein 452 ; SNG.Kayhan I, 524 ; Mitchiner ATAEC 448 (Smyrna) ;
Babelon Traité II, I, 531 ; SNG.Copenhagen 389-394 (Cyprus etc.)
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IONIA, PHOKAEA (PHOKAIA) - AR 1/12 Stater or obol, circa 521 - 478 BC
weight 1,33gr. ; silver Ø 9mm.
obv. Archaic female head left (Amazone Phokaea ?), wearing helmet or
close fitting cap and rosette shaped earring
rev. Rough incuse square
Sometimes this coin type is also attributed to Smyrna, among others by Michael Mitchiner, based on the fact that many of these coins were found during archaeological excavations at Smyrna. That does not alter the fact that there may be even more arguments for Phokaea as mint for this coin type. For example, at Phokaea electron hektae were struck that are almost identical to these silver obols. Such a close relationship suggests a similar diecutter and coin workshop. Most likely these silver coins were minted according to the Phocaean standard ; 1 stater of 16.1 gram, divided into 12 obols (ca.1,34gr).
BMC- ; SNG.von Aulock 1813 ; SNG.Tübingen 3117 ; Rosen Coll.597;
Sammlung Klein 452 ; SNG.Kayhan I, 524 ; Mitchiner ATAEC 448 (Smyrna) ;
Babelon Traité II, I, 531 ; SNG.Copenhagen 389-394 (Cyprus etc.)
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IONIA, PHOKAEA (PHOKAIA) - AR Tetartemorion or 1/24 Stater, circa 521 - 478 BC
weight 0,21gr. ; silver Ø 5mm.
obv. Archaic head left (Amazone Phokaea ?), wearing helmet or close fitting cap
rev. Quadripartie incuse square
Most likely these silver coins were minted according to the Phocaean standard ; 1 stater of 16.1 gram, divided into 12 obols (ca.1,34gr) and the obol into 4 tetartemoria. Extremely rare.
BMC- ; SNG.von Aulock - ; SNG.Tübingen- ; Rosen Collection 598 ;
Sammlung Klein - ; SNG.Kayhan I, - ; Mitchiner ATAEC - ;
Babelon Traité II, I, - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; Aufhäuser Auktion 4, lot 112 RRR
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IONIA, PHOKAEA (PHOKAIA) - AR Hemitetartemorion or 1/48 Stater, circa 521 - 478 BC
weight 0,10gr. ; silver Ø 5mm.
obv. Archaic head right (Amazone Phokaea ?),
wearing helmet or close fitting cap
rev. Quadripartie incuse square
Most likely these silver coins were minted according to the Phocaean standard ; 1 stater of 16.1 gram, divided into 12 obols (ca.1,34gr). The hemi-tetartemorion (= 1/8 obol) is the smallest Greek silver denomination. Extremely rare.
BMC- ; SNG.von Aulock - ; SNG.Tübingen- ; Sammlung Klein - ;
Rosen Collection- (cf. 598); Sammlung Klein - ; SNG.Kayhan I, - ;
Mitchiner ATAEC - ; Babelon Traité II, I, - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ;
cf. Aufhäuser Auktion 4, lot 112 RRRR
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IONIA, PHOKAEA (PHOKAIA) - EL 1/6 Stater or hekte, 387-326 BC
weight 2,54gr. ; electron Ø 10mm.
obv. Head of Artemis left, quiver over shoulder,
below, small seal left (symbol of Phokaia)
rev. Quadripartite incuse square
According to Herodotus the Phocaeans were the first Greeks to make long sea-voyages, having discovered the coasts of the Adriatic, Tyrrhenia and Spain. Herodotus relates that they so impressed Arganthonios, king of Tartessus in Spain, that he invited them to settle there, and, when they declined, gave them a great sum of money to build a wall around their city.
BMC - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock - ; Bodenstedt 99g RR
Attractive well-centred coin with fine details. Very rare.
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IONIA, SMYRNA – AISCHRION, son of DIOGENES, magistrate - AE 21, circa 115-105 BC
weight 6,27gr. ; bronze Ø 21mm.
obv. Laureate head of Apollo right, B behind
rev. Homer seated left, holding scroll on knees, right hand raised to chin,
staff behind, ZMYPNAIΩN behind, AIΣXPIΩN / ΔIOΓENOY in front
This coin′s reverse is linked and represents the Homerea,
a famous statue of Homer of Symrna mentioned by Strabo.
The city of Smyrna (Izmir) in Asia Minor claimed to be the birthplace of Homer, legendary author of the ″Iliad″ and the ″Odyssey″and the West′s earliest epic poet. Homer′s dates are still not much know today with accuracy. For example, Herodotus said that Homer lived 400 years before his own time, which would be around 8th century BC. Meanwhile other ancient sources tell us that it was closer to the time of the Trojan War (around 12th century BC).
Tradition has it that he was a blind ″rhapsode″, a wandering reciter of poetry who traveled around the Ionian cities. The Ionian ″sons of Homer″ existed as a guild from about 700 BC, based more particularly on the island of Chios (Sakiz in Turkish). However, it has always been a matter of debate whether Homer actually was a historical figure, especially since it was doubted whether one single person was capable of being solely responsible for two such great works. A late 18th century German scholar advanced the theory that the Iliad and the Odyssey were collections of individual lays, thus making Homer a kind of collective term for more ancient epic verse. The authorship of Homer′s epics are still a little bit problematic today amongst the scholars.
Nowadays it′s generally held that Homer was a real person who lived and wrote on the west coast of Asia Minor and was associated in many ways with the island of Chios. His great works probably also incorporated many older and shorter legendary epics, with the Iliad thought to have been written before the Odyssey although both works were much amended and expanded at a later date. Homer is also credited with the ″Homeric Hymns and Epigrams″ and the comic epics of the ″Fool Margites″ and the ″War of Frogs and Mice″(Batrachomyomachia).
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- ;
Milne 256var. (control mark A) ; Weber collection - ;
SNG.Tübingen - ; McClean - ; Lindgren Collection- ;
Sear- (cf. 4571) RRR
Minor adjust marks and weakness of strike. Extremely rare.
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IONIA, SMYRNA - MENEKRATOS AMBALA, magistrate - AE 21, circa 105-95 BC
weight 7,07gr. ; bronze Ø 21mm.
obv. Laureate head of Apollo right
rev. Homer seated left, holding scroll on knees, right hand raised to chin,
staff behind, ZMYPNAIΩN to right, MENEKPATOΣ / AMBAΛA
This coin′s reverse is linked and represents the Homerea,
a famous statue of Homer of Symrna mentioned by Strabo.
The city of Smyrna (Izmir) in Asia Minor claimed to be the birthplace of Homer, legendary author of the ″Iliad″ and the ″Odyssey″and the West′s earliest epic poet. Homer′s dates are still not much know today with accuracy. For example, Herodotus said that Homer lived 400 years before his own time, which would be around 8th century BC. Meanwhile other ancient sources tell us that it was closer to the time of the Trojan War (around 12th century BC).
Tradition has it that he was a blind ″rhapsode″, a wandering reciter of poetry who traveled around the Ionian cities. The Ionian ″sons of Homer″ existed as a guild from about 700 BC, based more particularly on the island of Chios (Sakiz in Turkish). However, it has always been a matter of debate whether Homer actually was a historical figure, especially since it was doubted whether one single person was capable of being solely responsible for two such great works. A late 18th century German scholar advanced the theory that the Iliad and the Odyssey were collections of individual lays, thus making Homer a kind of collective term for more ancient epic verse. The authorship of Homer′s epics are still a little bit problematic today amongst the scholars.
Nowadays it′s generally held that Homer was a real person who lived and wrote on the west coast of Asia Minor and was associated in many ways with the island of Chios. His great works probably also incorporated many older and shorter legendary epics, with the Iliad thought to have been written before the Odyssey although both works were much amended and expanded at a later date. Homer is also credited with the ″Homeric Hymns and Epigrams″ and the comic epics of the ″Fool Margites″ and the ″War of Frogs and Mice″(Batrachomyomachia).
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- ; Weber collection- ;
Lindgren Collection- ; Milne 282 ; Sear- (cf. 4571) RR
Minor traces of oxidation. Dark patina. Very rare.
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IONIA, SMYRNA - MENEKRATOS & AGRIOS, magistrates - AE 21, circa 105-95 BC
weight 8,83gr. ; bronze Ø 19mm.
obv. Laureate head of Apollo right
rev. Homer seated left, holding scroll on knees, right hand raised to chin,
staff behind, ZMYPNAIΩN behind, MENEKPATHΣ / AΓPIOΣ in front
This coin′s reverse is linked and represents the Homerea,
a famous statue of Homer of Symrna mentioned by Strabo.
The city of Smyrna (Izmir) in Asia Minor claimed to be the birthplace of Homer, legendary author of the ″Iliad″ and the ″Odyssey″and the West′s earliest epic poet. Homer′s dates are still not much know today with accuracy. For example, Herodotus said that Homer lived 400 years before his own time, which would be around 8th century BC. Meanwhile other ancient sources tell us that it was closer to the time of the Trojan War (around 12th century BC).
Tradition has it that he was a blind ″rhapsode″, a wandering reciter of poetry who traveled around the Ionian cities. The Ionian ″sons of Homer″ existed as a guild from about 700 BC, based more particularly on the island of Chios (Sakiz in Turkish). However, it has always been a matter of debate whether Homer actually was a historical figure, especially since it was doubted whether one single person was capable of being solely responsible for two such great works. A late 18th century German scholar advanced the theory that the Iliad and the Odyssey were collections of individual lays, thus making Homer a kind of collective term for more ancient epic verse. The authorship of Homer′s epics are still a little bit problematic today amongst the scholars.
Nowadays it′s generally held that Homer was a real person who lived and wrote on the west coast of Asia Minor and was associated in many ways with the island of Chios. His great works probably also incorporated many older and shorter legendary epics, with the Iliad thought to have been written before the Odyssey although both works were much amended and expanded at a later date. Homer is also credited with the ″Homeric Hymns and Epigrams″ and the comic epics of the ″Fool Margites″ and the ″War of Frogs and Mice″(Batrachomyomachia).
BMC- ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- ; Milne 291 ;
Weber collection 6136 ; SNG.Tübingen - ; McClean - ;
Lindgren Collection- ; Sear- (cf. 4571) RR
Minor adjust marks. Attractive specimen with dark patina. Very rare.
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IONIA, TEOS - AR ¼ Stater or hemidrachm, circa 525-510 BC
weight 3,34gr.; silver Ø 13mm.
obv. Forepart of griffin right, left foreleg raised
rev. Rough incuse square
Minted to the Aeginetic standard (stater of 12,4 gr.).
From this cointype only a few examples are known.
Coin of the highest rarity.
BMC- ; Mitchiner ACW- ; Mitchiner ATAEC- ; Balcer- ;
SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock 2253 ; McClean- ;
Babelon, Traité I, - ; SNG.Kayhan- ; Weber collection- ; Sear- ;
Jameson 1515A (“Pièce inédite”) ; Rosen collection- ; SNG.Tübingen- ;
Matzke, Frühe Münzprägung von Teos, JNG 50 (2000), 32 RRRR
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IONIA, TEOS - AR Stater, circa 478 - 449 BC
weight 12,02gr. ; silver Ø 21mm.
obv. Griffin seated right, raising forepaw, owl in front
rev. Quadripartite incuse square
Only four pieces cited by Balcer. Very rare.
BMC - ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock- ; McClean- ; SNG.Kayhan- ;
Weber collection- ; Pozzi 2518 ; Balcer, SNR 47 (1968), pl.XVII, 100 ;
mattingly in SNR 73 (1994), pl.I, 4 ; Sear- (cf. 4579) ; Leu Auktion 77, lot.306 RR
Minor flan cracks.
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IONIAN ISLAND, CHIOS - AR Drachm, circa 270-220 BC
weight 4,10gr. ; silver Ø 18,5mm.
Alexander the Great posthumous issue.
obv. Head of young Herakles clad in a lion′s skin
rev. Zeus Aëtophoros enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter, wheel
with four spokes over ivy-leaf on left side, AΛEΞANΔPOY on right side
This drachm seems to be unpublished in the standard reference literature. Judging from the style of the coin and the wide face, it seems to belong to the Chios mintage of the period 270-220 BC. It could also be an imitation of the Chios drachmas from an unknown mint in Ionia or the immediate vicinity. Extremely rare.
Müller- ; Price – (cf. 2316-2326) ; cf. HGC 6, 1135 ;
Bauslaugh in MN 24 (1979), cf. series 2B RRRR
Magnificent piece of superb style. Near mintstate.
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