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PISIDIA, ETENNA - AE 17, 1st century BC
weight 4,32gr. ; bronze Ø 17mm.
obv. Two male figures standing side by side, naked except for mantles over
shoulders, one brandishing a bipennis (double axe), the other a crooked knife
rev. Nymph walking right, looking back, holding out a protective hand against
a serpent uncoiling from bottom left to top right. Overturned oenochoe (urn)
behind, ET - EN across field
Etenna was a Pisidian mountain town in the Side hinterland, today′s Sirtköy. Coins assure that it was already established in the early Hellenistic period. Etenna provided mercenaries (8.000 hoplites), fought with a large contingent on the side of the Seleucid usurper Achaeus against Selge (Poybius 5,73,3) in 218 BC and was probably a target in Antiochus III′s Pisidian campaign in 193 BC (Livius 35,13,5). In the Imperial period it belonged to the province Lycia-Pamphylia. Etenna’s coinage started in the 4th century BC, with the mintage of small silver coins. The coinage of bronze coins started round 100 BC, to be continued to the 3rd century AD.
cf. BMC 1 (much smaller, about Ø 14mm) ; SNG.Copenhagen 148 ;
SNG.von Aulock 5016 ; cf. Von Aulock, Pisidien II, 425 ; SNG.Paris 1531 ;
cf. Weber collection 7392 (much smaller, about Ø 12mm) ;
cf. Lindgren collection 1314 (much smaller, about Ø 12mm)
dark geen patina
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PISIDIA, ETENNA - AE 13, 1st century BC
weight 2,03gr. ; bronze Ø 13mm.
obv. Two male figures standing side by side, naked except for mantles over
shoulders, one brandishing a bipennis (double axe), the other a crooked knife
rev. Nymph walking right, looking back, holding out a protective hand against
a serpent uncoiling from bottom left to top right. Overturned oenochoe (urn)
behind, ET - EN across field
Etenna was a Pisidian mountain town in the Side hinterland, today′s Sirtköy. Coins assure that it was already established in the early Hellenistic period. Etenna provided mercenaries (8.000 hoplites), fought with a large contingent on the side of the Seleucid usurper Achaeus against Selge (Poybius 5,73,3) in 218 BC and was probably a target in Antiochus III′s Pisidian campaign in 193 BC (Livius 35,13,5). In the Imperial period it belonged to the province Lycia-Pamphylia. Etenna’s coinage started in the 4th century BC, with the mintage of small silver coins. The coinage of bronze coins started round 100 BC, to be continued to the 3rd century AD.
BMC 1 ; SNG.Copenhagen 149 ; SNG.von Aulock 5017 ;
Von Aulock, Pisidien II, 438 ; SNG.Paris 1532 ; Waddington 3723 ;
Weber collection 7392 ; Lindgren collection 1314
Very attractive example with dark patina.
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PISIDIA, ISINDA - AE 20, circa 200-250 AD
weight 4,98gr. ; bronze Ø 20mm.
obv. Laureate head of Zeus right
rev. Hermes, nude, seated left on basis, holding purse in right hand
and caduceus in left , surrounded by the legend; CINΔЄΩN
Isinda, with its extensive walls, stood in a strategic position at the western end of the pass leading from Pamphylia by Termessus to Pisidia. Its site is located near modern Korkuteli. Samples of the extensive coinage of Isinda are extant, which give evidence that it considered itself an Ionian colony. When the Roman consul Gnaeus Manlius Vulso, on his victorious march through Asia Minor in 189 BC, found Isinda besieged by Termessus, he raised the siege at the city′s request and fined the Termessians 50 talents. Isinda was later included in the Roman province of Pamphylia Secunda. At an early stage, it became a Christian bishopric, a suffragan of the metropolitan see of Perge, the capital of the province.
cf. BMC 11 ; SNG.von Aulock 5036var. ; SNG.Copenhagen- ;
Weber collection- ; Lindgren collection- ; Waddington 3743var. ;
McClean- ; SNG.Paris 1597var. ; Von Aulock, Pisidien I, 757var. R
Attractive dark patina. Rare.
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PISIDIA, SELGE - AR Stater, circa 500-400 BC - PROBABLY SECOND KNOWN
weight 10,31gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Facing head of Gorgoneion, with short hair, tongue protruding
rev. Lion′s head facing, in shallow incuse square
The early coinage of Selge cannot be separated from that of Aspendos. Both cities were connected with the Eurymedon River and were evidently in close commercial relations. Aspendos was clearly the more important of these two cities and its coinage starts probably somewhat earlier than that of Selge, round 470/460 BC. Although also in Selge there may have been incidental coinage in the 5th century BC, coinage on a large scale started not earlier than circa 380 BC for this city. They are always fairly exact imitations of the coin types of Aspendos, then provided with the city symbol astragalos. Only in the course of the 3rd century and later do we see a coinage of its own types for Selge, which are no longer influenced by Aspendos. It seems that on Selge′s first coins, the Gorgoneion′s head was a symbol of the city. For example, we know a stater with a Gorgoneion′s head on the obverse and a forepart of a lion on the reverse (BMC 1 ; Pl.XXXIX, 5) and a trihemiobol with a Gorgoneion′s head on the obverse and an Athena head on the reverse (BMC 2 ; Pl.XXXIX, 6). A third type also seems to belong to the same early coinage. A stater with a Gorgoneion′s head on the obverse and a lion′s head facing on the reverse. This coin shows a great affinity with the so called “Wappenmünzen” of Athens (cf. Babelon 1066; plate XXXI, 14) and this may have been used as an example when this coin was made. This coin type was discovered in the late 19th century when a merchant offered it in 1894. This piece was not in the British Museum, but George Francis Hill apparently found it interesting enough to mention, describe and illustrate it in BMC (Lycia, Pamphylia and Pisidia, page CXV and plate XLIV,20). These same two coins and a third coin type with Gorgoneion′s head were also included a little later publication; the important reference works for Greek and Roman coins, compiled by the well-known author and numismatist Ernest Babelon (Paris 1907, Babelon, Traité, part I, p. 532, nos.871-873; plate XXIV, 1-3).
The stater with Gorgoneion′s head and lion′s head frontal remained unique for a long time and we do not see it published in later reference works. The piece that we now offer of this same type therefore seems to be the second known specimen. Because we also know coins with a Gorgoneion′s head in combination with a lion′s head in Aspendos, we cannot completely exclude that city as the possible mint. Those coins, however, are a bit younger, dating from around 400-360 BC. Because Aspendos in the 5th century BC. had a completely different coinage (warrior/triskeles type), this city generally is considered less plausible as mint for this type, and Selge is regarded as most plausible mint. Highly interesting coin of the greatest rarity.
BMC page CXV and plate XLIV,20 ; SNG.Paris 1912 (= BMC specimen) ;
Babelon, Traité, part I, p. 532, nos.871-873 (= BMC specimen) ;
SNG.Copenhagen - ; Weber- ; SNG.von Aulock - ; McClean- ; Sear - RRRR
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PISIDIA, SELGE - AR Obol, circa 370-350 BC
weight 0,88gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Facing head of Gorgoneion, with short hair and tongue protruding
rev. Head of Athena right in crested helmet, astragalos behind
The astragalos can be considered as the city mintmark of Selge.
Selge was an important city in ancient Pisidia and later in Pamphylia, on the southern slope of Mount Taurus, modern Antalya Province, Turkey, at the part where the river Eurymedon River (today Köprüçay) forces its way through the mountains towards the south. The town was believed to be a Greek colony, for Strabo states that it was founded by Spartans (Lacedaemon). The acropolis of Selge bore the name of Kesbedion. The district in which the town was situated was extremely fertile, producing abundance of oil and wine, but the town itself was difficult of access, being surrounded by precipices and beds of torrents flowing towards the Eurymedon and Cestrus (today Aksu), and requiring bridges to make them passable. In consequence of its excellent laws and political constitution, Selge rose to the rank of the most powerful and populous city of Pisidia, and at one time was able to send an army of 20.000 men into the field. Owing to these circumstances, and the valour of its inhabitants, for which they were regarded as worthy kinsmen of the Spartans, the Selgians were never subject to any foreign power, but remained in the enjoyment of their own freedom and independence.
When Alexander the Great passed through Pisidia (333 BC), Selge sent an embassy to him and gained his favour and friendship. At that time they were at war with Termessos. At the period when Achaeus had made himself master of Western Asia, Selge were at war with Pednelissus, which was besieged by them; and Achaeus, on the invitation of Pednelissus, sent a large force against Selge (218 BC). After a long and vigorous siege, the Selgians, being betrayed and despairing of resisting Achaeus any longer, sent deputies to sue for peace, which was granted to them on the following terms: they agreed to pay immediately 400 talents, to restore the prisoners of Pednelissus, and after a time to pay 300 talents in addition. We now have for a long time no particulars about the history of Selge; in the 5th century AD Zosimus calls it indeed a little town, but it was still strong enough to repel a body of Goths. It is strange that Pliny does not notice Selge, for we know from its coins that it was still a flourishing town in the time of Hadrian; and it is also mentioned in Ptolemy and Hierocles. Independently of wine and oil, the country about Selge was rich in timber, and a variety of trees, among which the storax was much valued from its yielding a strong perfume. Selge was also celebrated for an ointment prepared from the iris root.
The remains of the city consist mainly of parts of the encircling wall and of the acropolis. A few traces have survived of the gymnasium, the stoa, the stadium and the basilica. There are also the outlines of two temples, but the best conserved monument is the theater, restored in the 3rd century AD. Selge was the seat of a bishop; it remains a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church.
BMC 8-10 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock 5266 ;
Slg.Klein- ; McClean 9016 ; Sear- (cf. 5473) ; SNG.Paris 1930 ;
SNG.Kayhan 1061 ; Weber collection- (cf. 7418)
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PISIDIA, SELGE - AR Obol, circa 350 BC
weight 0,90gr. ; silver Ø 9mm.
obv. Head of Gorgoneion, with short hair, facing
rev. Head of Athena left in crested helmet, astragalos behind
The astragalos can be considered as the city mintmark of Selge.
Selge was an important city in ancient Pisidia and later in Pamphylia, on the southern slope of Mount Taurus, modern Antalya Province, Turkey, at the part where the river Eurymedon River (today Köprüçay) forces its way through the mountains towards the south. The town was believed to be a Greek colony, for Strabo states that it was founded by Spartans (Lacedaemon). The acropolis of Selge bore the name of Kesbedion. The district in which the town was situated was extremely fertile, producing abundance of oil and wine, but the town itself was difficult of access, being surrounded by precipices and beds of torrents flowing towards the Eurymedon and Cestrus (today Aksu), and requiring bridges to make them passable. In consequence of its excellent laws and political constitution, Selge rose to the rank of the most powerful and populous city of Pisidia, and at one time was able to send an army of 20.000 men into the field. Owing to these circumstances, and the valour of its inhabitants, for which they were regarded as worthy kinsmen of the Spartans, the Selgians were never subject to any foreign power, but remained in the enjoyment of their own freedom and independence.
When Alexander the Great passed through Pisidia (333 BC), Selge sent an embassy to him and gained his favour and friendship. At that time they were at war with Termessos. At the period when Achaeus had made himself master of Western Asia, Selge were at war with Pednelissus, which was besieged by them; and Achaeus, on the invitation of Pednelissus, sent a large force against Selge (218 BC). After a long and vigorous siege, the Selgians, being betrayed and despairing of resisting Achaeus any longer, sent deputies to sue for peace, which was granted to them on the following terms: they agreed to pay immediately 400 talents, to restore the prisoners of Pednelissus, and after a time to pay 300 talents in addition. We now have for a long time no particulars about the history of Selge; in the 5th century AD Zosimus calls it indeed a little town, but it was still strong enough to repel a body of Goths. It is strange that Pliny does not notice Selge, for we know from its coins that it was still a flourishing town in the time of Hadrian; and it is also mentioned in Ptolemy and Hierocles. Independently of wine and oil, the country about Selge was rich in timber, and a variety of trees, among which the storax was much valued from its yielding a strong perfume. Selge was also celebrated for an ointment prepared from the iris root.
The remains of the city consist mainly of parts of the encircling wall and of the acropolis. A few traces have survived of the gymnasium, the stoa, the stadium and the basilica. There are also the outlines of two temples, but the best conserved monument is the theater, restored in the 3rd century AD. Selge was the seat of a bishop; it remains a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church.
cf. BMC 7 and 10 ; SNG.Copenhagen - ; SNG.von Aulock 5281 ;
Slg.Klein 631 ; McClean- ; cf. Sear 5475 ; SNG.Paris 1928 ;
Weber collection 7419
Interesting coin of somewhat barbarian style, struck on a short flan.
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PISIDIA, SELGE - AR Obol, circa 350 BC
weight 0,77gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Head of Gorgoneion, with short hair, facing
rev. Head of Athena left in crested helmet, astragalos in front
The astragalos can be considered as the city mintmark of Selge.This type with the Athena head left and the astragalos in front in not published in the important reference literature. Extremely rare.
Selge was an important city in ancient Pisidia and later in Pamphylia, on the southern slope of Mount Taurus, modern Antalya Province, Turkey, at the part where the river Eurymedon River (today Köprüçay) forces its way through the mountains towards the south. The town was believed to be a Greek colony, for Strabo states that it was founded by Spartans (Lacedaemon). The acropolis of Selge bore the name of Kesbedion. The district in which the town was situated was extremely fertile, producing abundance of oil and wine, but the town itself was difficult of access, being surrounded by precipices and beds of torrents flowing towards the Eurymedon and Cestrus (today Aksu), and requiring bridges to make them passable. In consequence of its excellent laws and political constitution, Selge rose to the rank of the most powerful and populous city of Pisidia, and at one time was able to send an army of 20.000 men into the field. Owing to these circumstances, and the valour of its inhabitants, for which they were regarded as worthy kinsmen of the Spartans, the Selgians were never subject to any foreign power, but remained in the enjoyment of their own freedom and independence.
When Alexander the Great passed through Pisidia (333 BC), Selge sent an embassy to him and gained his favour and friendship. At that time they were at war with Termessos. At the period when Achaeus had made himself master of Western Asia, Selge were at war with Pednelissus, which was besieged by them; and Achaeus, on the invitation of Pednelissus, sent a large force against Selge (218 BC). After a long and vigorous siege, the Selgians, being betrayed and despairing of resisting Achaeus any longer, sent deputies to sue for peace, which was granted to them on the following terms: they agreed to pay immediately 400 talents, to restore the prisoners of Pednelissus, and after a time to pay 300 talents in addition. We now have for a long time no particulars about the history of Selge; in the 5th century AD Zosimus calls it indeed a little town, but it was still strong enough to repel a body of Goths. It is strange that Pliny does not notice Selge, for we know from its coins that it was still a flourishing town in the time of Hadrian; and it is also mentioned in Ptolemy and Hierocles. Independently of wine and oil, the country about Selge was rich in timber, and a variety of trees, among which the storax was much valued from its yielding a strong perfume. Selge was also celebrated for an ointment prepared from the iris root.
The remains of the city consist mainly of parts of the encircling wall and of the acropolis. A few traces have survived of the gymnasium, the stoa, the stadium and the basilica. There are also the outlines of two temples, but the best conserved monument is the theater, restored in the 3rd century AD. Selge was the seat of a bishop; it remains a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church.
BMC- (cf. 3) ; SNG.Copenhagen- ; SNG.von Aulock- (cf. 5266) ;
Slg.Klein- (cf. 631) ; McClean- ; Sear- (cf. 5473) ; SNG.Paris- (cf. 1929) ;
Weber collection- (cf. 7419) RRR
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PISIDIA, SELGE - AR Obol, circa 350-300 BC
weight 0,96gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Facing head of Gorgoneion, with longer hair and closed mouth
rev. Head of Athena right in crested helmet, astragalos behind
The astragalos can be considered as the city mintmark of Selge.
Selge was an important city in ancient Pisidia and later in Pamphylia, on the southern slope of Mount Taurus, modern Antalya Province, Turkey, at the part where the river Eurymedon River (today Köprüçay) forces its way through the mountains towards the south. The town was believed to be a Greek colony, for Strabo states that it was founded by Spartans (Lacedaemon). The acropolis of Selge bore the name of Kesbedion. The district in which the town was situated was extremely fertile, producing abundance of oil and wine, but the town itself was difficult of access, being surrounded by precipices and beds of torrents flowing towards the Eurymedon and Cestrus (today Aksu), and requiring bridges to make them passable. In consequence of its excellent laws and political constitution, Selge rose to the rank of the most powerful and populous city of Pisidia, and at one time was able to send an army of 20.000 men into the field. Owing to these circumstances, and the valour of its inhabitants, for which they were regarded as worthy kinsmen of the Spartans, the Selgians were never subject to any foreign power, but remained in the enjoyment of their own freedom and independence.
When Alexander the Great passed through Pisidia (333 BC), Selge sent an embassy to him and gained his favour and friendship. At that time they were at war with Termessos. At the period when Achaeus had made himself master of Western Asia, Selge were at war with Pednelissus, which was besieged by them; and Achaeus, on the invitation of Pednelissus, sent a large force against Selge (218 BC). After a long and vigorous siege, the Selgians, being betrayed and despairing of resisting Achaeus any longer, sent deputies to sue for peace, which was granted to them on the following terms: they agreed to pay immediately 400 talents, to restore the prisoners of Pednelissus, and after a time to pay 300 talents in addition. We now have for a long time no particulars about the history of Selge; in the 5th century AD Zosimus calls it indeed a little town, but it was still strong enough to repel a body of Goths. It is strange that Pliny does not notice Selge, for we know from its coins that it was still a flourishing town in the time of Hadrian; and it is also mentioned in Ptolemy and Hierocles. Independently of wine and oil, the country about Selge was rich in timber, and a variety of trees, among which the storax was much valued from its yielding a strong perfume. Selge was also celebrated for an ointment prepared from the iris root.
The remains of the city consist mainly of parts of the encircling wall and of the acropolis. A few traces have survived of the gymnasium, the stoa, the stadium and the basilica. There are also the outlines of two temples, but the best conserved monument is the theater, restored in the 3rd century AD. Selge was the seat of a bishop; it remains a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church.
BMC 23-25; SNG.Copenhagen 252 ; SNG.von Aulock 5278 ;
Slg.Klein 630 ; McClean- ; Sear 5478 ; SNG.Paris 1931 ;
SNG.Kayhan 1060 ; Babelon, Traité II, 2, 1598 ; SNG Ashmolean 1532
very attractive specimen with appealing toning
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PISIDIA, SELGE - AR Obol, circa 350-300 BC
weight 0,90gr. ; silver Ø 10mm.
obv. Head of Gorgoneion, with long hair, facing
rev. Head of Athena right in crested helmet,
astragalos behind
The astragalos can be considered as the city mintmark of Selge.
Selge was an important city in ancient Pisidia and later in Pamphylia, on the southern slope of Mount Taurus, modern Antalya Province, Turkey, at the part where the river Eurymedon River (today Köprüçay) forces its way through the mountains towards the south. The town was believed to be a Greek colony, for Strabo states that it was founded by Spartans (Lacedaemon). The acropolis of Selge bore the name of Kesbedion. The district in which the town was situated was extremely fertile, producing abundance of oil and wine, but the town itself was difficult of access, being surrounded by precipices and beds of torrents flowing towards the Eurymedon and Cestrus (today Aksu), and requiring bridges to make them passable. In consequence of its excellent laws and political constitution, Selge rose to the rank of the most powerful and populous city of Pisidia, and at one time was able to send an army of 20.000 men into the field. Owing to these circumstances, and the valour of its inhabitants, for which they were regarded as worthy kinsmen of the Spartans, the Selgians were never subject to any foreign power, but remained in the enjoyment of their own freedom and independence.
When Alexander the Great passed through Pisidia (333 BC), Selge sent an embassy to him and gained his favour and friendship. At that time they were at war with Termessos. At the period when Achaeus had made himself master of Western Asia, Selge were at war with Pednelissus, which was besieged by them; and Achaeus, on the invitation of Pednelissus, sent a large force against Selge (218 BC). After a long and vigorous siege, the Selgians, being betrayed and despairing of resisting Achaeus any longer, sent deputies to sue for peace, which was granted to them on the following terms: they agreed to pay immediately 400 talents, to restore the prisoners of Pednelissus, and after a time to pay 300 talents in addition. We now have for a long time no particulars about the history of Selge; in the 5th century AD Zosimus calls it indeed a little town, but it was still strong enough to repel a body of Goths. It is strange that Pliny does not notice Selge, for we know from its coins that it was still a flourishing town in the time of Hadrian; and it is also mentioned in Ptolemy and Hierocles. Independently of wine and oil, the country about Selge was rich in timber, and a variety of trees, among which the storax was much valued from its yielding a strong perfume. Selge was also celebrated for an ointment prepared from the iris root.
The remains of the city consist mainly of parts of the encircling wall and of the acropolis. A few traces have survived of the gymnasium, the stoa, the stadium and the basilica. There are also the outlines of two temples, but the best conserved monument is the theater, restored in the 3rd century AD. Selge was the seat of a bishop; it remains a titular see of the Roman Catholic Church.
BMC 23-25; SNG.Copenhagen 252 ; SNG.von Aulock 5278 ;
Slg.Klein 630 ; McClean- ; Sear 5478 ; SNG.Paris 1931 ;
Babelon, Traité II, 2, 1598 ; SNG Ashmolean 1532
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PISIDIA, SELGE - AR Obol, circa 350-300 BC
weight 0,79gr. ; silver Ø 9,5mm.
obv. Head of Gorgoneion, with long hair, facing
rev. Head of Athena right in crested helmet,
astragalos behind
The astragalos can be considered as the city mintmark of Selge.
BMC 23-25; SNG.Copenhagen 252 ; SNG.von Aulock 5278 ;
Slg.Klein 630 ; McClean- ; Sear 5478 ; SNG.Paris 1931 ;
Babelon, Traité II, 2, 1598 ; SNG Ashmolean 1532
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PISIDIA, SELGE - AR Stater, circa 300-190 BC
weight 9,86gr. ; silver Ø 22mm.
obv. Two naked athletes, wrestling, grasping each other by the arms,
KY-monogram between them in lower field, all within circle of dots
rev. Slinger standing right, about to discharge his sling, triskeles to right,
club and cornucopiae before, seven dots arranged in the shape of a
rosette between his legs ΣEΛΓEΩN behind, within circle of dots
Seems to be unpublished in the relevant reference literature. Extremely rare.
BMC - (cf. 20) ; SNG.von Aulock - (cf. 5273) ; SNG.Copenhagen - (cf. 247) ;
SNG.Paris - (cf. 1944) ; McClean - ; Weber- ; Sear - (cf. 5477) RRRR
Minor planchet fault. Wonderful piece with excellent details.
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PISIDIA, SELGE - AR Obol, circa 300-190 BC
weight 0,76gr. ; silver Ø 11mm.
obv. Facing head of Gorgoneion, with long hair and closed mouth
rev. Head of Athena right in crested helmet, astragalos left below
and spearhead behind
The trihemiobols, obols and hemiobols of Selge were in fact imitations of samelike coins struck in the Pamphylian city of Aspendos, about 30 km. south of Selge, minted some earlier or at the same time. Also this trihemiobol has its prototype from Aspendos (see SNG.Paris no.37). The main distinction between the pieces of Aspendos and Selge is the addition of the astragalos, the town symbol of Selge, on the pieces of Selge.
BMC 28 ; SNG.Paris 1951 ; SNG.Copenhagen 254 ;
SNG.von Aulock 5279 ; Slg. Klein 632 ; McClean 9018 ;
SNG.Kayhan- ; Babelon, Traité II, 1599 ; Sear 5479
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