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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Greek Coins| ▸ |Geographic - All Periods| ▸ |Anatolia| ▸ |Lydia||View Options:   | | | Lydia lies in east-central Anatolia (Asia Minor) between Ionia and Phrygia. The kingdom of Lydia gradually rose in power in the 7th Century B.C. and by the time of Alyattes and Croesus, it was controlling most of Anatolia after rebuking Medes (the pre-Achaemenid empire). The most important city was Sardis, today Sart, housing impressive ruins. The Lydians were viewed as a merchant people and the kings as extremely wealthy. Croesus gained mythical status and today we still use the expression, "rich as Croesus." |
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 Silver 1/32 siglos, Apparently unpublished, cf.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)
Marcus Aurelius, 7 March 161 - 17 March 180 A.D., Mostene, Lydia
Mostene, in ancient Lydia, prospered in Roman and Byzantine eras. There is debate, based on a line in Tacitus, over whether Mostene was a Macedonian colony or a native Lydian city. In 17 A.D. the city was hit by an earthquake and was assisted by relief from Tiberius.RP113182. Bronze AE 35, Apparently unpublished; GRPC Lydia -, RPC Online IV -, F, dark green patina, earthen deposits, marks, pit lower right, weight 21.592 g, maximum diameter 35.3 mm, die axis 180o, Mostene (Kepecik, Turkey) mint, c. 161 - 162 A.D.; obverse AVT K M AVPH ANTΩNEINOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse EΠI AΛEΞANΔPOY APX ΛYΔ MOCTHNΩN (authority of Alexandros, archon, Mostene), Demeter, holding grain and torch?; from the Michael Arslan Collection, ex Solidus auction 123 (25 Jul 2023), lot 359 (part of); the only known specimen; extremely rare; $250.00 (€235.00)
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. |  |
Nero, 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Thyatira, Lydia
Thyateira (also Thyatira) is the ancient name of the modern Turkish city of Akhisar ("white castle"). In Revelation, Thyatira is the church that had a false prophetess (Revelation 2:20).RP111831. Bronze AE 17, GRPC Lydia IV 139; RPC I 2382; BMC Lydia p. 302, 62; SNG Cop 597; SNG Mun 613; SNG Lewis 1365; Lindgren I 834; McClean 8720; SNGvA -, VF, green patina, nice portrait, earthen deposits, obv. off center, weight 2.292 g, maximum diameter 17.0 mm, die axis 0o, Thyatira (Akhisar, Turkey) mint, first issue, c. 55 A.D.; obverse NEPΩN KΛAYΔI-OC KAICAP CEBA, bare-headed, draped bust of Nero right, wearing light beard (indicating mourning, for the death of Claudius); reverse labrys (double-axe), ΘYAT-ΕIPΗ/NΩ-N in two two lines across field divided by axe handle; $110.00 (€103.40)
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)
Bagis, Lydia, c. 193 - 268 A.D.
Inscriptions uncovered by Keppel place ancient Bagis near Sirghe on the left (south) side of the Hermos River. Modern scholars pinpoint a site at Güre, Usak Province, Turkey. The "Treasures of Croesus" findings from Lydian tumuli around the town were plundered in the 1960s but recovered by the 2000s and now in the Usak Museum.RP99127. Bronze AE 26, GRPC Lydia II pl. 29, 36; SNG Cop 45; SNG Mün 45; SNG Tüb 3667; BMC Lydia p. 33, 16; Winterthur 3702; Weber 6786; SNGvA -, VF, attractive style, well centered on a tight flan, green patina, weight 9.455 g, maximum diameter 25.7 mm, die axis 180o, Bagis (Güre, Turkey) mint, c. 193 - 268 A.D.; obverse CVNK-ΛHTOC, youthful draped bust of the Roman Senate right; reverse KAICAPEΩN BAΓHNΩN, Tyche standing sightly left, head left, kalathos on head, holding grounded rudder by tiller in right hand, cornucopia in left hand; $80.00 (€75.20)
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