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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Themes & Provenance| ▸ |Types| ▸ |Nude or Erotic||View Options:   | | | The ancients had a grand appreciation for the beauty of the human body and a rather bawdy view of sexuality. |
Although Agathocles was brutal in pursuit of power, afterward he was a mild and popular "tyrant." His grandest goal was to establish democracy as the dominant form of government for the world. He did not want his sons to succeed him as king and restored the Syracusan democracy on his death bed.SH54900. Silver tetradrachm, SNG Lloyd 1494; M. Ierardi, Tetradrachms of Agathokles of Syracuse, AJN N.S. 7-8, 1996, 238, choice gVF, weight 16.445 g, maximum diameter 25.4 mm, die axis 180o, 305 - 295 B.C.; obverse KOPAΣ, head of Kore left, wreathed in grain; reverse AΓA[ΘOKΛEIOΣ], Nike standing half right raising trophy, hammer in right, triskeles at feet left; ex Tom Cederlind, ex Münzen Und Medaillen List 260 (1965), #17; rare with head left; SOLD
Baktria, Diodotus I as Satrap for Antiochus II Theos, c. 255 - 250 B.C.
Diodotus I was the Seleukid governor of Baktro-Sogdiana early in Antiochos II's reign. His first coinage was issued with the Seleukid monarch's portrait. He then issued coins, like this one, with his own portrait, yet retaining the name of Antiochos as king. Diodotus' territory was so remote that he was king in all but title. About 250 B.C., he took the title too and issued coins as king in his own name (BAΣIΛΕΩΣ ΔIOΔOTOY).
Recent scholarship shows that Ai Khanoum (Greek name uncertain) was the principal mint of the region, located on the frontier between Afghanistan and the former Soviet Union.SH42566. Gold stater, Houghton-Lorber I 630, Newell ESM 723, SGCV II 7497, VF, test cut on obverse, weight 8.380 g, maximum diameter 17.8 mm, die axis 180o, Ai Khanoum mint, obverse diademed head of middle-aged Diodotus I right; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Zeus striding left, naked, aegis over extended left arm, hurling fulmen with raised right, wreath over eagle inner left; rare; SOLD
Selge, Pisidia, c. 300 - 190 B.C.
A scarce type inspired by the well known "athletic" issue of Aspendos.SH28066. Silver stater, SNG BnF 1936, SNG Cop -, SNGvA -, BMC Lycia -, EF, minor flan defects on rev, weight 10.747 g, maximum diameter 25.5 mm, die axis 0o, Selge (southern slope of Mount Taurus, Turkey) mint, c. 300 - 190 B.C.; obverse two wrestlers, the left one grabs the wrist and forearm of his opponent, AΛI between their legs; reverse ΣEΛΓEΩN on left, Herakles standing half-left, head turned right, club in raised right, lion-skin in left, O between legs; SOLD
Macedonian Kingdom, Demetrius I Poliorketes, 306 - 283 B.C.
This type was issued in preparation for Demetrios' invasion of Asia Minor. Demetrios was defeated, imprisoned by Seleukos and died in captivity in 283 B.C. The bull's horns suggest his relationship to Poseidon is the same as Alexander's to Zeus Ammon. The portrait is individualized, but evokes the image of Alexander. Demetrios was the first to assimilate elements of Alexander's deified portrait and the first living ruler to portray himself as a god on coins. -- www.lawrence.edu SH75316. Silver tetradrachm, Newell p. 97, 91 and pl. VIII, 12, SNG Cop 1179 var., gVF, superb portrait, tight flan, a few marks, weight 17.018 g, maximum diameter 29.1 mm, die axis 15o, Macedonia, Pella mint, c. 289 - fall 288 B.C.; obverse Demetrios diademed head right with horns of a bull, the animal sacred to Demetrios' patron deity, Poseidon; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY, Poseidon standing left, right foot on rock, trident in left (apparently inspired by the Lateran Poseidon, a statue by Lysippos, court sculptor of Alexander), KE monogram left, H right; ex Forum (2007), ex Harlan Berk; SOLD
Macedonian Kingdom, Demetrius I Poliorketes, 306 - 283 B.C.
Demetrios was called Poliorcetes, "The Besieger" for his creative siege engines including a battering ram 180 feet long requiring 1000 men and a wheeled siege tower named "Helepolis" (or "Taker of Cities") which stood 125 feet tall and 60 feet wide, weighing 360,000 pounds.SH28933. Silver tetradrachm, CNG 73, 153; apparently unpublished, cf. Newell 33 (stater with these monograms), gVF, weight 17.045 g, maximum diameter 26.9 mm, die axis 0o, Tarsos (Tarsus, Mersin, Turkey) mint, c. 298 - 295 B.C; obverse Nike atop prow of galley decorated with apotropaic eye left, blowing trumpet and holds stylis; reverse ΔHMHTPIOY / BAΣI-ΛEΩΣ, Poseidon stands left, naked save chlamys over extended left arm, about to hurl trident with right, monograms either side; toned, very fine obverse style; rare; SOLD
Magnesia ad Maeandrum, Ionia, c. 155 - 145 B.C.
The magistrate's name is written ΕYΦΗΜOΣ ΠAYΣANIOY, with the last name in genitive, which means Euphemos was the son of Pausanios.SH35582. Silver stephanophoric tetradrachm, BMC Ionia p. 162, 36; SNGvA 2042, SNG Cop -, EF, weight 16.547 g, maximum diameter 33.3 mm, die axis 0o, Magnesia ad Maeandrum (near Tekin, Turkey) mint, c. 160 - 150 B.C.; obverse bust of Artemis the Hunter wearing stephane, bow and quiver at shoulder; reverse MAΓNHTΩN / EYΦHMOΣ / ΠAYΣANIOY, Apollo naked standing half left, left arm resting on tripod, filleted branch in right hand, Maeander pattern below, magistrate's name with patronymic left, all within laurel wreath; wonderful style on both sides; SOLD
Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D.
In 107 A.D., Trajan received an ambassador from India.SH53588. Silver denarius, Woytek 270b, RIC II 128, RSC II 74, BMCRE III 328, Hunter II 104, Strack I 128, SRCV II 3129, Superb EF, fine style, bold, from sharp dies, as struck mint state except for the addition of wonderful iridescent toning, weight 3.369 g, maximum diameter 18.5 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 107 - 108 A.D.; obverse IMP TRAIANO AVG GER DAC P M TR P, laureate bust right, slight drapery on far shoulder; reverse COS V P P S P Q R OPTIMO PRINC, Victory standing slightly left, naked to hips, raising wreath in right hand, palm frond in left hand; ex H. S. Perlin Co., 1989; SOLD
Taras, Calabria, Italy, c. 240 - 228 B.C.
Taras, the only Spartan colony, was founded in 706 B.C. by the Partheniae ("sons of virgins"), sons of unmarried Spartan women and Perioeci (free men, but not citizens of Sparta). When they were forced to leave Greece, their leader, Phalanthos, consulted the oracle at Delphi and was told to make Taranto their home. They named the city Taras after the son of Poseidon and a local nymph, Satyrion. According to one legend, Phalanthos was rescued by a dolphin after a shipwreck near Delphi. Some descriptions of this and similar coin types identify the dolphin rider as Phalanthos. But Aristotle wrote that it was Taras, not Phalanthos, who was saved by a dolphin. On this coin the rider holds a trident, supporting Aristotle and suggesting he is the son of Poseidon. This symbol of the ancient Greek city is still the symbol of modern Taranto today.SH20278. Silver stater, SNG ANS 1262, HN Italy 1059, Vlasto 968 - 968, sharp gVF, toned, weight 6.554 g, maximum diameter 20.4 mm, die axis 315o, Taras (Taranto, Italy) mint, c. 240 - 228 B.C.; obverse warrior on horseback right, torso turned right, right arm extended, Nike above flying right crowning him, monogram behind, KAΛΛIKPA/TΗΣ in two lines below; reverse Taras (or Phalanthos) seated on a dolphin left naked, Nike in right hand, trident in left hand, NE monogram above dolphins tail, TAPAΣ below; ex Coin Galleries mail bid sale 11/21/69, #990; SOLD
Macedonian Kingdom, Demetrius I Poliorketes, 306 - 283 B.C.
This type was issued in preparation for Demetrios' invasion of Asia Minor. Demetrios was defeated, imprisoned by Seleukos and died in captivity in 283 B.C. The bull's horns suggest his relationship to Poseidon is the same as Alexander's to Zeus Ammon. The portrait is individualized, but evokes the image of Alexander. Demetrios was the first to assimilate elements of Alexander's deified portrait and the first living ruler to portray himself as a god on coins. -- www.lawrence.eduSH08305. Silver tetradrachm, Newell p. 92, 84; SNG Ashmolean 3249; Meydancikkale 2571; SNG Alpha Bank -; SNG Saroglos -; SNG München -, gVF, beautiful coin struck in high relief, weight 17.22 g, maximum diameter 27.3 mm, die axis 0o, Macedonia, Pella mint, c. 290 - 289 B.C.; obverse Demetrios diademed head right with horns of a bull, the animal sacred to Demetrios' patron deity, Poseidon; reverse Poseidon standing left, foot on rock, trident in left, monograms in fields (apparently inspired by the Lateran Poseidon, a statue by Lysippos, court sculptor of Alexander), BAΣIΛEΩΣ (KINΓ) ΔOΩNΩAPΔ ON PIΓΗT, ΔHMHTPIOY downward on right; rare; SOLD
Taras, Calabria, Italy, c. 272 - 235 B.C.
Taras, the only Spartan colony, was founded in 706 B.C. The founders were Partheniae ("sons of virgins"), sons of unmarried Spartan women and Perioeci (free men, but not citizens of Sparta). These out-of-wedlock unions were permitted to increase the prospective number of soldiers (only the citizens could be soldiers) during the bloody Messenian wars. Later, however, when they were no longer needed, their citizenship was retroactively nul|lified and the sons were obliged to leave Greece forever. Their leader, Phalanthus, consulted the oracle at Delphi and was told to make the harbor of Taranto their home. They named the city Taras after the son of Poseidon, and of a local nymph, Satyrion. The reverse depicts Taras being saved from a shipwreck by a dolphin sent to him by Poseidon. This symbol of the ancient Greek city is still the symbol of modern Taranto today.SH42454. Silver nomos, SNG Cop 927, Vlasto 890, HN Italy 1037, aEF, wonderful style, weight 6.280 g, maximum diameter 20.7 mm, die axis 225o, Taras (Taranto, Italy) mint, magistrate Herakletos, c. 272 - 235 B.C.; obverse |-HPAK/ΛHTOΣ in two lines below, helmeted and cuirassed warrior on horseback right, shield on his back, transverse spear downward in right hand; reverse TAPAΣ, Phalanthos on dolphin left, flower in extended right hand, cornucopia in left hand, EΓ monogram and thymiaterion (incense burner) behind; SOLD
Caracalla, 28 January 198 - 8 April 217 A.D.
In 215, Caracalla introduced the double denarius, or antoninianus. The weight of the new denomination was less than that of two denarii. The orichalcum and copper coinage disappeared gradually, and by the middle of the third century, with Rome's economy in crisis, the antoninianus was the only official currency.SH53592. Silver denarius, RIC IV 258(c) (S); RSC III 279b; BMCRE VI p. 453, 114; Hunter III 32; SRCV II 6836, FDC, sharp, fine style, mirror luster, perfect centering, weight 3.231 g, maximum diameter 19.7 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 215 A.D.; obverse ANTONINVS PIVS AVG GERM, laureate head right; reverse P M TR P XVIII COS IIII P P (high priest, holder of Tribunitian power for 18 years, consul for the 4th time, father of the country), Jupiter standing right, nude but for cloak over left shoulder, thunderbolt at side in right hand, long scepter vertical in left hand; ex H. S. Perlin Co. (1989); SOLD
Herakleia, Lucania, Italy, c. 281 - 278 B.C.
SH35572. Silver nomos, HN Italy 1400, EF, weight 6.466 g, maximum diameter 20.6 mm, die axis 180o, Herakleia mint, obverse head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmeted decorated with Skylla hurling stone, EY behind, I below, [AΛΕ] above; reverse HPAKΛHIΩN, Herakles standing left, club in right hand, bow in left, Nemean lion skin draped over left arm, owl in left field, ethnic right; toned, fine style; SOLD
Macedonian Kingdom, Demetrius I Poliorketes, 306 - 283 B.C.
Demetrios was called Poliorcetes, "The Besieger" for his creative siege engines including a battering ram 180 feet long requiring 1000 men and a wheeled siege tower named "Helepolis" (or "Taker of Cities") which stood 125 feet tall and 60 feet wide, weighing 360,000 pounds.SH21618. Silver tetradrachm, Newell p. 82, 72 and pl. VII, 2; S 6762 var, VF, weight 17.048 g, maximum diameter 26.86 mm, die axis 0o, Macedonia, Pella mint, c. 294 - 291 B.C; obverse Nike atop prow of galley left, blowing trumpet and holds stylis; reverse ΔHMHTPIOY / BA-ΣIΛE-ΩΣ, Poseidon stands left, naked save chlamys over extended left arm, about to hurl trident with right, Δ left, monograms right; SOLD
Roman Republic, L. Cornelius Lentulus and C. Claudius Marcellus, For Pompey the Great, 49 B.C.
Lentulus and Marcellus, the consuls for 49 B.C., were exiled by Caesar upon his war with Pompey. This coin was struck by a mobile military mint in Pompey's camp, possibly in Sicily but more likely in Greece, under the name of the two consuls.SH30342. Silver denarius, Crawford 445/1b, BMCRR Sicily 1, Sydenham 1029, RSC I Cornelia 64a, SRCV I 414, EF, weight 4.067 g, maximum diameter 17.4 mm, die axis 0o, Pompeian military mint, obverse triskeles, head of Medusa in center, grain-ears between legs; reverse LENT MAR COS (consules), Jupiter standing half-right, thunderbolt in right, eagle in left; scarce; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, c. 465 - 430 B.C.
In 467 B.C. the Athenian statesman and military commander Cimon, and his fleet of 200 ships, destroyed the Persian navy based at the mouth of the river Eurymedon in a surprise attack. In order to crush to Persian land forces, he tricked the Persians by sending his best fighters ashore wearing the garments of the hostages he had seized earlier. When they saw these men, the Persians thought that they were compatriots freed by the enemy and arranged festivities in celebration. Taking advantage of this, Cimon landed and annihilated the Persians. Aspendos then became a member of the Attic-Delos Maritime league.GS87795. Silver stater, Apparently unpublished variant; cf. SNG BnF 1; SNGvA 4477; SNG Cop 153; SNG Delepierre 2811; BMC Lycia p. 93, 1, VF, exceptional style, centered, tight flan (typical for the type), light marks, weight 10.609 g, maximum diameter 18.3 mm, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, c. 465 - 430 B.C.; obverse nude warrior advancing right, wearing crested helmet, shield on left arm, spear in right hand; reverse triskeles of human legs counterclockwise, within an incuse square, no ethnic, no control symbol; CNG recently sold an example from the same dies, e-auction 429 (26 Sep 2018), lot 167, for $2500 plus fees; they described their specimen as "Unpublished in the standard references. VF. Exceptionally powerful and artistic warrior for series. Extremely rare."; SOLD
Roman Republic, Dictatorship of Julius Caesar, L. Plautius Plancus, 47 B.C.
In the spring of 47 B.C. Caesar and Cleopatra celebrated their victory in the Alexandrine civil war with a triumphant procession on the Nile.
Among the most beautiful of all Roman coin types, both the obverse and reverse designs were popular designs for intaglio engraved gems during the Late Republic. SH42465. Silver denarius, Crawford 453/1a, BMCRR Rome 4004, Russo RBW 1583, RSC I Plautia 15, Sydenham 959, Sear Imperators 29, SRCV I 429, gVF, choice for the type, weight 4.028 g, maximum diameter 19.1 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, dictatorship of Julius Caesar, 47 B.C.; obverse facing head (mask?) of Medusa with disheveled hair, snakes for hoop earrings, L·PLAVTIVS below; reverse winged Aurora flying right, head turned facing, holding reins and conducting the four horses of the sun, wreath on palm frond in left hand, PLANCVS below; a masterpiece reverse design - well struck in magnificent style; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, c. 325 - 250 B.C.
Aspendos is about 40 km east of Antalya, Turkey about 16 km inland on the Eurymedon River. In 546 B.C. it fell to Persia. After a Persian defeat in 467, the city joined the Attic-Delos Maritime League. Persia took it again in 411 B.C., Alexander in 333 B.C., and Rome in 190 B.C. Although often subject to powerful empires, the city usually retained substantial autonomy.SH38438. Silver stater, SNG Cop 240 var. (EΣTFEΔIY), aEF, toned, weight 10.419 g, maximum diameter 24.7 mm, die axis 0o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, obverse two wrestlers, the left one holds the wrist of his opponent with his right, E between their legs; reverse EΣTFΔIY (sic), slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right, O between legs, triskeles clockwise over upright club on right; SOLD
Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus I Soter, 281 - 261 B.C.
Antiochus faced a formidable task holding the empire together. Revolt broke out in Syria almost immediately after his father's death. He earned the title Soter (savior) for victory over hordes of Gauls that attacked Anatolia. Elsewhere, he had little success. He was forced to abandon Macedonia, Thrace, Bithynia, and Cappadocia and to execute his eldest son for rebellion.GS82667. Silver tetradrachm, Houghton-Lorber I 379(6)c, Newell ESM 177, Meydancikkale 2929, HGC 9 128g, Choice gVF, attractive style, well centered and struck, dark toning, marks, edge bumps, weight 17.101 g, maximum diameter 29.6 mm, die axis 0o, Seleukeia on the Tigris (south of Baghdad, Iraq) mint, c. 263 - 261 B.C.; obverse diademed head right, eyes to heaven; reverse Apollo seated left on omphalos, nude but for drapery over right thigh, examining arrow in right hand, resting left hand on grounded bow, BAΣIΛΕΩΣ downward on left, ANT-IOXOY complex monograms outer left and outer right; SOLD
Roman Republic, Q. Pomponius Musa, c. 66 B.C., Eroto, the Muse of Erotic Poetry on Reverse
The reverse is a punning reference to the name of the moneyer. He struck coins for each of the nine muses, and Hercules, as their leader, presumably modeled after a group of statues. Each of the muses is indicated by a different obverse symbol. Eroto was not the "Muse of Pornography." She was rather the inspiration of poets such as Ovid. His poetry has literary value, but he was banished by Augustus, partly because of his smutty poetry, but also because of his adultery with the Emperor's daughter Julia. In Victorian England, this type was attributed to Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance. They assigned the tortoise symbol to Terpsichore. They assigned the flower stalk found on this coin to both Eroto and to Terpsichore, depending on the reverse. Under this scheme only the Muse of Dance had two obverse symbols and only Eroto shared her symbol with another muse. Seven of the muses were about equally distributed, but Eroto was considerably rarer, and Terpsichore about twice as common as any other Muse. Victorian sensibilities about sex may have allowed numismatists to decide that Erotic Poetry should be very, very rare. By comparison, the Romans saw Eroto as "just another Muse." Her coins should be about as common as the others. Today we are convinced each of the nine obverse symbols represents only one muse.SH16472. Silver denarius, Sydenham 820a, RSC I Pomponia 17a, Crawford 410/7b, SRCV I 358, gVF, beautifully toned with iridescent blues, slightly flat in centers, weight 3.810 g, maximum diameter 18.7 mm, die axis 180o, Rome mint, 66 B.C.; obverse laureate head of Apollo right, flower stalk behind; reverse Q POMPONI MVSA, Eroto, the Muse of Erotic Poetry (previously described as Terpsichore), standing right, plectrum in right hand, kithara (lyre) in left hand; ex Dr. Charles L. Ruby collection, ex CNG; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, 400 - 300 B.C.
Aspendos has the best-preserved theater of antiquity, with seating for 7,000. It was built in 155, during the rule of Marcus Aurelius, by the Greek architect Zenon, a native of the city. The Seljuqs used it as a caravansary and in the 13th century converted the stage building into a palace. Until recently the theater was still used for concerts, festivals and events, but shows are no longer allowed due to damage caused by modern theatrical equipment. A new facility has been constructed nearby to continue the tradition of open air theater in Aspendos.SH21676. Silver stater, SNG Cop 228, SNGvA 4566, gVF, weight 10.942 g, maximum diameter 21.9 mm, die axis 0o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, 370 - 333 B.C.; obverse two wrestlers, the left one holds the wrist of his opponent with his right and right forearm with his left hand, AΦ between their legs; reverse EΣTΦEΔIIYΣ on left upward, slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right, triskeles on right with feet counterclockwise, in square of dots, no trace of incuse; SOLD
Kelenderis, Cilicia, c. 430 - 420 B.C.
Kelenderis was a port town, one of the oldest in Cilicia, described in Hellenistic and Roman sources as a small, but strong castle. The rider on the obverse may be Castor, who was not only a horse trainer but also the protector of sailors, an appropriate type for a port town.GS87797. Silver stater, Celenderis Hoard, series II, 9 (O5/R5); SNG BnF 52 (same dies); SNGvA 5621 (same dies); BMC Cilicia -; SNG Levante ; SNG Delepierre -; Hunterian -, gVF, well centered, fine style, attractive dark toning, flow lines, highest points flat, weight 10.807 g, maximum diameter 22.7 mm, die axis 135o, Kelenderis (Aydincik, Turkey) mint, c. 430 - 420 B.C.; obverse nude young male dismounting from horse rearing left, whip in left hand, bridle in right hand, Π below horse's belly; reverse goat crouching left on dotted exergue line, head turned looking back right, KEΛE above, all within a shallow round incuse ; SOLD
Taras, Calabria, Italy, c. 281 - 228 B.C.
SH41264. Silver stater, SNG Cop 883; HN Italy 1000 var., gVF, nicely toned, weight 6.440 g, maximum diameter 20.0 mm, die axis 315o, Taras (Taranto, Italy) mint, obverse horseman left, horse crowned by naked youth, API/ΣTI/Π below, ΓY above; reverse TAPAΣ, Taras riding dolphin right, holding arrow [and bow]; from the Dr. J. Hewitt Judd Collection (author of United States Pattern Coins Experimental & Trial Pieces); old envelope dated 5-29-83; SOLD
Larissa, Thessaly, Greece, c. 440 - 400 B.C.
During religious games, the young men of Thessaly participated in bull jumping and bull wrestling. In bull wrestling, participants would jump from a horse, naked save a chlamys and cap, to bring a bull down to the ground. The obverse shows a wrestler bringing down a bull and the reverse shows the horse running free after the leap was made. The game may have originated in Asia Minor and then traveled to Crete, where it is known the people of Thessaly learned the sport.SH19450. Silver drachm, SNG Cop 107 var. (legend break), SNG Ashmolean 3863, gVF, weight 6.016 g, maximum diameter 20.1 mm, die axis 270o, Larissa mint, c. 440 - 400 B.C.; obverse youth wrestling or restraining bull, both to right; reverse ΛAP/IΣAIA, bridled horse galloping right, all in incuse square; toned; scarce; SOLD
Gordian III, 29 July 238 - 25 February 244 A.D.
Apart from the common, large issues of 240 A.D., Gordian III also struck exceedingly small quantities in 238 and 239 A.D. We only know one other coin of this Jupiter type, an ex Forum coin in the Michael Mihalka collection. Other types known by just two or three specimens are Fides, Liberalitas and Victory.SH53566. Silver denarius, RIC IV -, RSC IV -; cf. RIC IV 16 (antoninianus), RSC IV 189 (same), Choice VF, weight 2.653 g, maximum diameter 19.9 mm, die axis 0o, Rome mint, 239 A.D.; obverse IMP CAES M ANT GORDIANVS AVG, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse P M TR P II COS P P (high priest, holder of Tribunitian power for two years, consul, father of the country), Jupiter standing slightly left, nude but for cloak over arms, thunderbolt in right, long scepter in left hand, small figure of Gordian III at his feet left; extremely rare; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, 370 - 333 B.C.
The countermark appears to be a Hoplite advancing right with sword in right and round shield in left, in oval incuse. The hoplite represents the soldiery for which Aspendus was famous. The astonishing abundance of the silver money of Aspendus is a proof of the commercial importance of the town; and the number of countermarks and barbarous imitations shows that it circulated widely in the region.22.6SH95389. Silver stater, Arslan-Lightfoot 39; SNGvA 4561; Tekin Series 4, 11; SNG BnF 84; SNG Cop 231; SNG Berry 1224 (all same obv die), VF, attractive rainbow toning, typical slightly flat strike, weight 10.855 g, maximum diameter 22.6 mm, die axis 0o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, 370 - 333 B.C.; obverse two wrestlers, the left one holds the wrist of his opponent with his right and right forearm with his left hand, AK between their legs; reverse slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right, triskeles on right with feet clockwise, EΣTΦEΔIIYΣ upward on left, countermark lower right: lion head right in a round 3.6mm punch; ex Forum (2011); SOLD
Macedonian Kingdom, Demetrius I Poliorketes, 306 - 283 B.C.
The bull's horns suggest Demetrius' relationship to Poseidon is the same as Alexander's to Zeus Ammon. The portrait is individualized, but evokes the image of Alexander. Demetrios was the first to assimilate elements of Alexander's deified portrait and the first living ruler to portray himself as a god on coins. SH88881. Silver drachm, Newell 154, SNG Munchen 1051, SNG Alpha Bank -, SNG Cop -, VF, attractive style, toned, edge splits, weight 4.202 g, maximum diameter 20.0 mm, die axis 0o, Euboea, Chalkis(?) mint, c. 290 - 287 B.C.; obverse Demetrios diademed head right with horns of a bull, the animal sacred to Demetrios' patron deity, Poseidon; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΔHMHTPIOY, Poseidon standing left, right foot on rock, trident in left (apparently inspired by the Lateran Poseidon, a statue by Lysippos, court sculptor of Alexander), monogram inner left; ex Gorny & Mosch Giessener, auction 257, lot 334; very rare; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, 333 - 250 B.C.
After Alexander took Perga peacefully, Aspendos sent envoys to offer surrender if he would not take the taxes and horses formerly paid as tribute to the Persian king. Agreeing, Alexander went on to Side, leaving a garrison behind. When he learned they had failed to ratify the agreement their own envoys had proposed, Alexander marched to the city. The Aspendians retreated to their acropolis and again sent envoys to sue for peace. This time, however, they had to agree to harsh terms - they would host a Macedonian garrison and pay 100 gold talents and 4,000 horses annually.
This type is a late example and likely among the last of the wrestler and slinger staters. Struck during economic crisis, perhaps resulting from the harsh terms set by Alexander after their treachery, the flans are underweight, crudely cast and appear to be of debased silver. The wrestlers and slinger are carelessly depicted. It is not as attractive as earlier examples but it is certainly much scarcer.GS95992. Silver stater, Tekin Series 5, SNGvA 4576, SNG BnF 122, SNG Cop 240, Arslan-Lightfoot -, Choice gVF, attractive style, toned, obverse edge beveled, edge cracks, weight 10.440 g, maximum diameter 24.7 mm, die axis 0o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, 333 - 250 B.C.; obverse two wrestlers grappling, nude, wrestler on left holds the right wrist of his opponent with his right hand and right forearm with his left hand, E between their legs, tiny die break on right, beveled edge; reverse slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right, EΣTFEΔIY upward behind, O between legs, clockwise triskeles of human legs above club on right, round border of dots; from the Errett Bishop Collection; scarce; SOLD
Taras, Calabria, Italy, c. 272 - 235 B.C.
Taras, the only Spartan colony, was founded in 706 B.C. The founders were Partheniae ("sons of virgins"), sons of unmarried Spartan women and Perioeci (free men, but not citizens of Sparta). These out-of-wedlock unions were permitted to increase the prospective number of soldiers (only the citizens could be soldiers) during the bloody Messenian wars. Later, however, when they were no longer needed, their citizenship was retroactively nul|lified and the sons were obliged to leave Greece forever. Their leader, Phalanthus, consulted the oracle at Delphi and was told to make the harbor of Taranto their home. They named the city Taras after the son of Poseidon, and of a local nymph, Satyrion. The reverse depicts Taras being saved from a shipwreck by a dolphin sent to him by Poseidon. This symbol of the ancient Greek city is still the symbol of modern Taranto today.SH30548. Silver nomos, Vlasto 877 ff.; SNG ANS 1202; HN Italy 1033; HGC I 890, gVF, toned, attractive style, weight 6.497 g, maximum diameter 20.0 mm, die axis 45o, Taras (Taranto, Italy) mint, at war with Rome, under Phyrrus, c. 272 - 235 B.C.; obverse nude youth on horseback right, shield and two lances in left hand, spear pointed downward in raised right hand, ΔI above left, API-ΣTI/K Λ-HΣ (magistrate) in two divided lines below; reverse Taras astride dolphin left, nude, kantharos in extended right hand, trident pointed upward in left hand; head of his mother, the nymph Satyrion, behind looking left; TAPAΣ below; SOLD
Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus III the Great, c. 223 - 187 B.C.
At the age of eighteen, Antiochus III inherited a disorganized state. Much of Anatolia had been lost and the easternmost provinces had revolted and broken away. After some initial defeats, Antiochus took Judaea from Ptolemaic Egypt and then conquered Anatolia, earning him the epithet "the Great." In 192 B.C. Antiochus invaded Greece with a 10,000-man army, and was elected the commander in chief of the Aetolian League. In 191 B.C., however, the Romans routed him at Thermopylae, forcing him to withdraw to Anatolia. The Romans followed up by invading Anatolia and defeating him again. By the Treaty of Apamea 188 B.C., Antiochus abandoned all territory north and west of the Taurus, most of which the Roman Republic gave either to Rhodes or to the Attalid ruler Eumenes II, its allies. Many Greek cities were left free. As a consequence of this blow to the Seleucid power, the provinces which had recovered by Antiochus, reasserted their independence. Antiochus mounted a fresh eastern expedition. He died while pillaging a temple of Bel at Elymaïs, Persia, in 187 B.C.GS42574. Silver tetradrachm, Houghton-Lorber I 1045(3), SNG Spaer 547 - 548, bold VF, weight 16.506 g, maximum diameter 29.1 mm, die axis 0o, Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) mint, 197 - 187 B.C.; obverse Antiochos diademed head right, fillet border; reverse BAΣIΛEΩΣ ANTIOXOY, Apollo naked seated left on omphalos, examining arrow in right hand, resting left hand on grounded bow, cornucopia outer left; fantastic sculptural high relief!; ex CNG auction 219, lot 304; ex Gordon S. Parry Collection; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, 400 - 370 B.C.
Aspendos is about 40 km east of Antalya, Turkey about 16 km inland on the Eurymedon River. In 546 B.C. it fell to Persia. After a Persian defeat in 467, the city joined the Attic-Delos Maritime League. Persia took it again in 411 B.C., Alexander in 333 B.C., and Rome in 190 B.C. Although often subject to powerful empires, the city usually retained substantial autonomy.SH48341. Silver stater, Arslan-Lightfoot 39; SNGvA 4561; Tekin Series 4, 11; SNG BnF 84; SNG Cop 231; SNG Berry 1224 (all same obv die), gVF, flat high points, weight 10.826 g, maximum diameter 23.1 mm, die axis 0o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, 400 - 370 B.C.; obverse two wrestlers, the left one holds the wrist of his opponent with his right and right forearm with his left hand, AK between their legs; reverse EΣTΦEΔIIYΣ on left, slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right, triskeles on right with feet clockwise, no trace of incuse square; SOLD
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