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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Greek Coins| ▸ |Geographic - All Periods| ▸ |Anatolia| ▸ |Lydia| ▸ |Sardes||View Options:   | | | Sardis was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, one of the important cities of the Persian Empire, the seat of a proconsul under the Roman Empire, and the metropolis of the province Lydia in later Roman and Byzantine times. Its importance was due first to its military strength, secondly to its situation on an important highway leading from the interior to the Aegean coast, and thirdly to its commanding the wide and fertile plain of the Hermus. As one of the Seven churches of Asia, it was addressed by John, the author of the Book of Revelation in the Holy Bible, in terms which seem to imply that its population was notoriously soft and fainthearted. Remains including the bath-gymnasium complex, synagogue, and Byzantine shops are open to visitors year-round. |
The 1/24 siglos version of our coin (probably a 1/32 siglos) is the first coin type listed in Axel Winzer's 2005 numismatic work, Antike portraitmünzen der Perser und Greichen aus vor-hellenistischer Zeit (Zeitraum ca. 510-322 v.Chr.). And this is no coincidence as he explains in part, on page 11: "Together with the portrait coins of Darius I (1.1 and 1.2), these two numismatic rarities, minted by Cyrus the Younger (2.1 and 5.1), represent the beginning of the earliest portraits of living people on ancient coins described here." Stylistically, the closest match discovered for the present coin is the gold 1/48 daric (Winzer 1.2) in the Berlin Museum, represented by a drawing in Traité. Babelon makes no mention of the presence of a quiver on that piece, which may also be the case here.
An extraordinarily tiny coin. In later generations, the change-making role of very small silver coins would be replaced by bronze ones.GA113543. Silver 1/32 siglos, Apparently unpublished, cf. Klein 759 (1/24 siglos), Winzer 1.1 (same), Traité II p. 47, 6 = Winzer 1.2 (1/48 daric), Carradice -, aVF, etched surfaces with traces of earthen sediments in rev. crevices, good centering and detail for such a small coin, weight 0.160 g, maximum diameter 5.1 mm, Sardis (Sart, Turkey) mint, c. 510 B.C.; obverse head of the Great King right, wearing a kidaris (Persian royal crown), quiver(?) behind; reverse semi-square incuse punch; extremely rare denomination of a historically important coin type!; $300.00 (€282.00)
Hierapolis, Phrygia, c. 244 - 249 A.D., Homonoia with Sardis
This type is dated to the reign of Philip I based on this coin's reverse die which is shared with a coin of Otacilia Severa. The Π on the reverse abbreviates ΠYΘIAN, referring to the Pythian games, which were, after the Olympian, the greatest in importance of the four chief Hellenic festivals. The X abbreviates XPYΣANΘINA, referring to games held near Hierapolis on the banks Chrysoroas river. RP114890. Bronze AE 24, RPC Online VIII U63168 (15 spec., this coin cited), Franke-Nollé 872, SNG Tüb 4050, Weber 7122, Johnston Hierapolis -, SNG Cop -, VF, near centered on a tight flan, weight 5.931 g, maximum diameter 24.0 mm, die axis 180o, Phrygia, Hierapolis (near Pamukkale, Turkey) mint, pseudo-autonomous, c. 244 - 249 A.D.; obverse IEPA CY-NKΛHTO-C, draped bust of the senate right; reverse IEPAΠOΛEITΩN K CAPΔIANΩN NEΩKOPΩN OMONOIA, two wreaths, containing letters Π and X; ex Rex Numismatics budget auction 4 (15 Dec 2023), lot 400; $170.00 (€159.80)
Hierapolis, Phrygia, c. 244 - 249 A.D., Homonoia with Sardis
This type is dated to the reign of Philip I based on this coin's reverse die which is shared with a coin of Otacilia Severa. The Π on the reverse abbreviates ΠYΘIAN, referring to the Pythian games, which were, after the Olympian, the greatest in importance of the four chief Hellenic festivals. The X abbreviates XPYΣANΘINA, referring to games held near Hierapolis on the banks Chrysoroas river. RP114891. Bronze AE 26, RPC Online VIII U63168 (15 spec., this coin cited), Franke-Nollé 868, SNG Tüb 4050, Weber 7122, Johnston Hierapolis -, SNG Cop -, Choice F, well centered on a broad flan, a few light marks, central depression on rev., weight 5.046 g, maximum diameter 26.2 mm, die axis 180o, Phrygia, Hierapolis (near Pamukkale, Turkey) mint, pseudo-autonomous, c. 244 - 249 A.D.; obverse IEPA CY-NKΛHTO-C, draped bust of the senate right; reverse IEPAΠOΛEITΩN K CAPΔIANΩN NEΩKOPΩN OMONOIA, two wreaths, containing letters Π and X; ex Rex Numismatics budget auction 4 (15 Dec 2023), lot 399; $150.00 (€141.00)
Persian Empire, Lydia, Anatolia, Darius II - Artaxerxes II, c. 420 - 375 B.C.
| This type was minted in Lydia, Anatolia, while under Persian control, prior to Alexander the Great's conquest. The Persian or Achaemenid Empire (c. 550 - 330 B.C.) was the largest empire in ancient history extending across Asia, Africa and Europe, including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of Central Asia, Asia Minor, Thrace and Macedonia, much of the Black Sea coastal regions, Iraq, northern Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine and Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and much of ancient Egypt as far west as Libya. |  |
Persian Empire, Lydia, Anatolia, Darius II - Artaxerxes II, c. 420 - 375 B.C.
| This type was minted in Lydia, Anatolia, while under Persian control, prior to Alexander the Great's conquest. The Persian or Achaemenid Empire (c. 550 - 330 B.C.) was the largest empire in ancient history extending across Asia, Africa and Europe, including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of Central Asia, Asia Minor, Thrace and Macedonia, much of the Black Sea coastal regions, Iraq, northern Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine and Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and much of ancient Egypt as far west as Libya. | |
Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Sardis, Lydia
Sardis was the capital of the Kingdom of Lydia, an important city of the Persian Empire, a Roman proconsul seat, and in later Roman and Byzantine times the metropolis of the province Lydia. In the Book of Revelation, Sardis, one of the Seven Churches of Asia, is admonished to be watchful and to strengthen since their works haven't been perfect before God. (Revelation 3:1-6).RP113207. Bronze AE 19, RPC Online I 2997a; SNG Cop 521; BMC Lydia p. 253, 119; Waddington 5241; Weber 6909, nice F, nice green patina, highlighting earthen deposits, edge splits, weight 6.014 g, maximum diameter 18.7 mm, die axis 180o, Sardes (Sart, Turkey) mint, Mindios (strategos for the 2nd time), c. 60 A.D.; obverse NEPΩN KAIΣAP (counterclockwise from lower right, N retrograde), laureate head right; reverse EΠI MINΔIOY (counterclockwise from upper left, under Mindios), CAPΔIANΩN (upward on right), Dionysus standing slightly left, head left, cantharus in right hand, thyrsus in left hand, no panther,
B (strategos for the 2nd time abbreviated and ligated, downward in left field); from the Michael Arslan Collection; ex Bucephalus Numismatics auction 19 (6 May 2023), lot 399; $100.00 (€94.00) Macedonian Kingdom, Philip III Arrhidaeus and Alexander IV, 323 - 317 B.C.
This coin was struck shortly after the death of Alexander the Great in the name of his infant son, Alexander IV. Alexander IV and Philip III, Alexander's brother, were made joint kings after Alexander's death. Sardes struck coins in the names of both kings. Alexander IV was an infant and Philip was mentally disabled, neither king was capable of actual rule and both were selected only to serve as pawns. The regents held power. Philip III was actually imprisoned. In 317, Olympias had Philip murdered to ensure sole rule by her grandson Alexander IV. But Alexander IV would never rule. In 311 B.C., he and his mother Roxana were executed by the regent Kassander.GS112776. Silver drachm, Price 2601; ADM I Sardes XIII, 191; Müller Alexander -, F, toned, marks, scratches, die wear, tiny edge chips, weight 3.937 g, maximum diameter 16.3 mm, die axis 0o, Lydia, Sardes (Sart, Turkey) mint, struck under Menander, c. 323 - 322 B.C.; obverse head of Herakles right, wearing Nemean Lion skin, scalp over head, forepaws tied at neck; reverse Zeus Aëtophoros seated left on throne without back, nude to the waist, himation around hips and legs, right foot forward (Alexander the Great lifetime style), eagle in extended right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, AΛΕΞANΔPOY downward on right, monogram left, torch in exergue; $90.00 (€84.60)
Persian Empire, Lydia, Anatolia, Darius II - Artaxerxes II, c. 420 - 375 B.C.
| This type was minted in Lydia, Anatolia, while under Persian control, prior to Alexander the Great's conquest. The Persian or Achaemenid Empire (c. 550 - 330 B.C.) was the largest empire in ancient history extending across Asia, Africa and Europe, including Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, parts of Central Asia, Asia Minor, Thrace and Macedonia, much of the Black Sea coastal regions, Iraq, northern Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine and Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and much of ancient Egypt as far west as Libya. | |
Seleukid Kingdom, Antiochus I Soter, 280 - 261 B.C.
Antiochos' reign was marred by struggle against internal and external enemies, including the betrayal and revolt of his co-regent in the east, his eldest son, whom he was forced to execute. He earned the title savior (soter) of Asia by defeated roving bands of Galatians that had terrorized the cities for years. However, not long after, he lost southern and western Asia Minor to Ptolemy.GY114635. Bronze AE 14, Houghton-Lorber 315a; Newell WSM 1369; BMC Seleucid p. 13, 58; SNG Spaer 233; SNG Cop 77; SGCV II 6883; HGC 9 167 (R2), aVF, green patina, scratches, areas of light corrosion, weight 2.032 g, maximum diameter 14.4 mm, die axis 0o, Sardes (Sart, Turkey) mint, 280 - 261 B.C.; obverse bust of Athena facing, wearing triple-crested Attic helmet; reverse Nike walking left, raising wreath in right hand, long palm frond over left shoulder in left hand, BAΣIΛEΩΣ downward on right, ANTIOXOY downward on right, monogram in circle over line outer left (control); $60.00 (€56.40)
Marcus Aurelius, 7 March 161 - 17 March 180 A.D., Sardes, Lydia
Sardis was the capital of the Kingdom of Lydia, an important city of the Persian Empire, a Roman proconsul seat, and in later Roman and Byzantine times the metropolis of the province Lydia. In the Book of Revelation, Sardis, one of the Seven Churches of Asia, is admonished to be watchful and to strengthen since their works haven't been perfect before God. (Revelation 3:1-6).RP114638. Bronze AE 21, RPC Online IV.2 T1430; GRPC Lydia IV 449; BMC Lydia p. 258, 143; SNG Cop 528; SNG Tübingen 3813; SNG Leypold I 1218; Lindgren I 817; Weber 6911, aVF, uneven strike with parts of legends weak, light corrosion, light deposits, weight 2.936 g, maximum diameter 20.7 mm, die axis 180o, Sardes (Sart, Turkey) mint, as caesar, 140 – 144 A.D.; obverse M AYPHΛIOC KAICAP YΠA, bare-headed, draped youthful bust right, seen from right side; reverse EΠI NEIKOMAXOY CAPΔIANΩN (time of [magistrate] Nikomachos, Sardes), winged caduceus upright; $60.00 (€56.40)
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