Coins and Antiquities Consignment Shop
  10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! All Items Purchased From Forum Ancient Coins Are Guaranteed Authentic For Eternity!!! Please Call Us If You Have Questions 252-646-1958 Expert Authentication - Accurate Descriptions - Reasonable Prices - Coins From Under $10 To Museum Quality Rarities 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! All Items Purchased From Forum Ancient Coins Are Guaranteed Authentic For Eternity!!! Internet Challenged? We Are Happy To Take Your Order Over The Phone 252-646-1958 Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!!

×Catalog Main Menu
Fine Coins Showcase

Antiquities Showcase
New & Reduced


Show Empty Categories
Shop Search
Shopping Cart
My FORVM
Contact Us
About Forum
Shopping at Forum
Our Guarantee
Payment Options
Shipping Options & Fees
Privacy & Security
Forum Staff
Selling Your Coins
Identifying Your Coin
FAQs
zoom.asp
   View Categories
Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Greek Coins| ▸ |Geographic - All Periods| ▸ |Anatolia| ▸ |Cilicia||View Options:  |  |  |   

Ancient Greek Coins of Cilicia

In antiquity, Cilicia (also spelled Kilikia) was a southern coastal region of Anatolia, extending inland north from the Mediterranean coast, east from Pamphylia, to the Amanus Mountains, which separated it from Syria. It existed as a political entity from Hittite times into the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia and Byzantine Empire. Cilicia Trachea (rugged Cilicia) is a mountain district formed by the spurs of Taurus, which often terminate in rocky headlands with small sheltered harbors, a feature which, in classical times, made the coast a string of havens for pirates and, in the Middle Ages, outposts for Genoese and Venetian traders. Cilicia Trachea lacked large cities and was covered in ancient times by forests that supplied timber to Phoenicia and Egypt. Cilicia Pedias (flat Cilicia), to the east, included the rugged spurs of Taurus and a large coastal plain, with rich loamy soil, known to the Greeks for its abundance, filled with sesame and millet and olives and pasturage for horses. Many of its high places were fortified. Through the rich plain ran the great highway that linked east and west, on which stood the cities of Tarsos (Tarsus) on the Cydnus (Berdan River), Adana on the Sarus (Seyhan river), and Mopsos (Yakapınar) on the Pyramus (Ceyhan River).

Nero (or Otho or Galba?), 13 October 54 - 9 June 68 A.D., Mallus, Cilicia

|Nero|, |Nero| |(or| |Otho| |or| |Galba?),| |13| |October| |54| |-| |9| |June| |68| |A.D.,| |Mallus,| |Cilicia||AE| |25|
In "An intriguing new coin from Mallus, Cilicia" (2008), Jyrki Muona, based on a high grade specimen with an excellent portrait, identified the head on this type as Otho. He noted the portrait is influenced by the style of the Antioch mint. Indeed the portrait on that specimen looks very much like the portraits of Otho from Antioch. RPC I attributes the type to Nero but notes, "The portrait does not look much like Nero, but the date seems clear. Could it possibly be a coin of Galba?" We are following RPC I, listing it as Nero, but noting the other possibilities.
RP112383. Bronze AE 25, RPC Online I 4024 (3 spec.), SNG Levante 1269, aVF, dark green patina with traces of red, cleaning scratches, minor flan flaws on rev. edge, weight 9.678 g, maximum diameter 25.4 mm, die axis 0o, Mallus (near Karatas, Turkey) mint, 67 - 68 A.D.; obverse ...CEBACTOC..., laureate head right; reverse MAΛΛΩTΩN, Athena Magarsis standing facing, spear vertical in right hand, star above each arm, EΛP (year 135) outer left; ex CNG e-auction 538 (10 May 2023), lot 413; very rare; $580.00 SALE PRICE $522.00
 


Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Anazarbus, Cilicia, Marciana Reverse

|Cilicia|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.,| |Anazarbus,| |Cilicia,| |Marciana| |Reverse||trihemiassaria|NEW
Marciana, the eldest sister of the emperor Trajan, and mother of Matidia, was an accomplished woman. She lost her husband before her brother became emperor, and lived as a widow with Trajan's wife, Plotina, to whom she was united by the tenderest and most uninterrupted friendship. She an Plotina were awarded the title Augusta at the same time in 105. Marciana died c. 112 - 114 and received the honors of consecretation.
RP114951. Bronze trihemiassaria, Ziegler 107.3 (Vs1/Rs2, same dies & c/m), RPC Online III 3371.2 (same), SNGvA 5476 (same), SNG Levante 1383 (same); c/m: Howgego 23, aVF, porous, green patina, traces of pre-strike flan casting sprue and mold offset, tiny edge splits, weight 11.319 g, maximum diameter 25.4 mm, die axis 0o, Anazarbus (Anavarza, Turkey) mint, 113 -114 A.D.; obverse AYTO KAI NEP TPAIANOC CE ΓEP ΔA (Imperator Caesar Nerva Traianus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus), laureate head of Trajan right, oval countermark of head of Zeus right; reverse KAICAPE ΠP ANAZAPBΩ MAPKIANHN ΘE (ΠP ligate), draped bust of Diva Marciana right, seen from front, wearing large stephane, hair plaited and coiled on top at back of head, ET - BΛP (year 132) divided across field; $200.00 SALE PRICE $180.00
 


Severus Alexander and Julia Maesa, 222 - 235 A.D., Ninica-Claudiopolis, Cilicia

|Cilicia|, |Severus| |Alexander| |and| |Julia| |Maesa,| |222| |-| |235| |A.D.,| |Ninica-Claudiopolis,| |Cilicia||AE| |36|
Ammianus mentions Silifke and Claudiopolis as cities of Cilicia, or of the country drained by the Calycadnus; and Claudiopolis was a colony of Claudius Caesar. It is described by Theophanes of Byzantium as situated in a plain between the two Taurus Mountains, a description which exactly, corresponds to the position of the basin of the Calycadnus. Claudiopolis may therefore be represented by Mut, which is higher up the valley than Seleucia, and near the junction of the northern and western branches of the Calycadnus. It is also the place to which the pass over the northern Taurus leads from Laranda. The city received the Roman colony name Colonia Iulia Felix Augusta Ninica.
RB91011. Bronze AE 36, cf. asiaminorcoins.com 6551 (same obv. die & c/m), SNG Levante -, RPC Online -, SNG BnF -, SNG Cop -, BMC Cilicia -, c/m: Howgego 262, F, weak legends, porosity, edge cracks, weight 17.901 g, maximum diameter 35.8 mm, die axis 180o, Ninica-Claudiopolis (Mut, Mersin, Turkey) mint, 222 - 235 A.D.; obverse IMP C SEVERUS ALEXANΔER AVΓ (or similar), laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; c/m: Nike right in c. 5 x 8 mm oval punch (3 times); reverse IVL MAECA COL IVL FEL NINIO CLAUΔIOPOLI (or similar), draped bust of Julia Maesa right; huge 35.8 mm!; ex Forum (2015); extremely rare; $160.00 SALE PRICE $144.00
 


Domitian, 13 September 81 - 18 September 96 A.D., Anazarbus, Cilicia

|Cilicia|, |Domitian,| |13| |September| |81| |-| |18| |September| |96| |A.D.,| |Anazarbus,| |Cilicia||tetrassarion|
Anazarbus was founded by Assyrians. Under the early Roman Empire it was known as Kaicare?n (Caesarea), and was the Metropolis (capital) of the late Roman province Cilicia Secunda. It was the home of the poet Oppian. Rebuilt by the Byzantine emperor Justin I after an earthquake in the 6th century, it became Justinopolis (525); but the old native name persisted, and when Thoros I, king of Lesser Armenia, made it his capital early in the 12th century, it was known as Anazarva.
RP113540. Bronze tetrassarion, Ziegler 94 (Vs2/Rs5), RPC Online II 1753 (6 spec.), SNG Levante 1373, SNGvA 5473, SNG BnF -, aF, nice patina, weight 16.348 g, maximum diameter 30.9 mm, die axis 0o, Anazarbus (Anavarza, Turkey) mint, 94 - 95 A.D.; obverse AYTO KAI ΘE YIOΣ ΔOMITIANOΣ ΣE ΓEP (clockwise from upper right), laureate head right, fillet border; reverse KAIΣAPEΩN ΠP ANAZAPBΩ (ΠP ligate), Athena standing front, helmeted head left, spear in her right hand, left on grounded shield, ET-OYΣ / IΓP (year 113) in two lines divided across fields; $100.00 SALE PRICE $90.00
 


Severus Alexander, 13 March 222 - March 235 A.D., Irenopolis-Neronias, Cilicia

|Cilicia|, |Severus| |Alexander,| |13| |March| |222| |-| |March| |235| |A.D.,| |Irenopolis-Neronias,| |Cilicia||diassarion|
Irenopolis or Eirenopolis or Eirenoupolis, known briefly as Neronias in honor of the Roman emperor Nero, was in northeastern Cilicia, not far from the Calycadnus river, on the site of modern Düzici, Osmaniye province, Turkey, at the mouth of the Darb al-'Ain pass. It was probably founded by Antiochus IV of Commagene. Coins of the city show that Asclepius and Hygeia were worshiped there, probably connected with the natural spring of the area. The city is mentioned by Hierocles, Nicephore, and Calliste. Christianity first came to the area in the 1st century; the mountain pass location made it an early candidate for missionaries. The city came under Muslim rule following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.
RP114001. Bronze diassarion, RPC Online VI T6880.6 (this coin, 5 spec.); Karbach Eirenopolis 115; Lindgren I 1520; SNG BnF –; SNG Levante –, aVF, dark green-brown patina, deposits, weight 4.893 g, maximum diameter 19.7 mm, die axis 180o, Irenopolis (Düzici, Turkey) mint, 224 - 225 A.D.; obverse AYT KAI CEY AΛEΞANΔPOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind; reverse EIPHNOΠOΛ ΔOP (Irenopolis [year] 174), draped bust of Dionysus right, wearing ivy wreath, thyrsus over shoulder; ex CNG e-auction 543 (2 Aug 2023), lot 331; first of the type handled by FORVM, this coin is one of only two of the type Coin Archives records at auction in the last two decades; very rare; $100.00 SALE PRICE $90.00
 


Trajan, 25 January 98 - 8 or 9 August 117 A.D., Irenopolis, Cilicia

|Cilicia|, |Trajan,| |25| |January| |98| |-| |8| |or| |9| |August| |117| |A.D.,| |Irenopolis,| |Cilicia||AE| |18|
Irenopolis or Eirenopolis or Eirenoupolis, known briefly as Neronias in honor of the Roman emperor Nero, was in northeastern Cilicia, not far from the Calycadnus river, on the site of modern Düzici, Osmaniye province, Turkey, at the mouth of the Darb al-'Ain pass. It was probably founded by Antiochus IV of Commagene. Coins of the city show that Asclepius and Hygeia were worshiped there, probably connected with the natural spring of the area. The city is mentioned by Hierocles, Nicephore, and Calliste. Christianity first came to the area in the 1st century; the mountain pass location made it an early candidate for missionaries. The city came under Muslim rule following the Battle of Manzikert in 1071.
RP114042. Bronze AE 18, Karbach Eirenopolis 20-23, RPC Online III 3389, SNG BnF 2251, SNG Leypold 2395, SNG Tahberer 590, SNG Levante 1604, Ziegler 1330, aVF, green patina, encrustation, spots of corrosion (stable) , weight 3.424 g, maximum diameter 18.4 mm, die axis 0o, Irenopolis (Düzici, Turkey) mint, 98 - 99 A.D.; obverse AYTO KAICAP TPAIANOC (Imperator Caesar Traianus), laureate head right; reverse IPHNOΠOΛEITΩN ZM (year 47), Eirene-Nemesis standing right, winged, drawing out drapery from neck with right hand, caduceus downward in left hand, wheel at feet on right; $90.00 SALE PRICE $81.00
 


Plautilla, Augusta 202 - 22 January 205 A.D., Anazarbus, Cilicia

|Cilicia|, |Plautilla,| |Augusta| |202| |-| |22| |January| |205| |A.D.,| |Anazarbus,| |Cilicia||assarion|
Anazarbus was founded by Assyrians. Under the early Roman Empire it was known as Caesarea, and was the metropolis (capital) of the late Roman province Cilicia Secunda. It was the home of the poet Oppian. Rebuilt by the Byzantine emperor Justin I after an earthquake in the 6th century, it became Justinopolis (525); but the old native name persisted, and when Thoros I, king of Lesser Armenia, made it his capital early in the 12th century, it was known as Anazarva.
RP111634. Bronze assarion, SNG Levante 1411, Ziegler 295, SNG BnF -, SNG Cop -, VF, well centered, broad flan, obverse encrustation, scratches, weight 4.399 g, maximum diameter 19.8 mm, die axis 0o, Anazarbus (Anavarza, Turkey) mint, 202 - 203 A.D.; obverse ΦOY ΠΛAYTIΛΛA, draped bust right; reverse ANAZAPBEΩN NEΩK ET, prize-crown inscribed OΛYMΠIA, AKC ([year] 221) above; rare; $80.00 SALE PRICE $72.00
 


Commodus, March or April 177 - 31 December 192 A.D., Tarsos, Cilicia

|Cilicia|, |Commodus,| |March| |or| |April| |177| |-| |31| |December| |192| |A.D.,| |Tarsos,| |Cilicia||AE| |27|
The title Neokoros, designating a guardian of a temple of the imperial cult, was highly prized and advertised on the coins of many cities. Tarsos was the first city in Cilicia to receive the title, during the reign of Hadrian, not long after 130 A.D. This first temple dedicated to the cult of Hadrian is named in the reverse legend. A second imperial temple was dedicated to Commodus during his reign, before August 191. The B (the Greek number two) indicates this second neokorie. The Kommodeios isolympic worldwide festival was held in honor of this temple. Commodus probably honored Tarsos because its chief god was Hercules, and Commodus had come to believe he was Hercules reincarnated.
RP97264. Bronze AE 27, RPC Online IV.3 T5845, SNG Levante Supp. 260, SNG BnF 1466, SNGvA 5997, Waddington 4636, VF, nice green patina, uneven slightly off-center strike with parts of legends weak or unstruck, weight 11.189 g, maximum diameter 26.8 mm, die axis 30o, Tarsos (Tarsus, Mersin, Turkey) mint, Mar/Apr 177 - 31 Dec 192 A.D.; obverse AYT KAIC AYP KOMOΔOC CEB, mantled bust right, wearing demiurgic crown; club of Hercules behind; reverse AΔP KOM - TAP MHO (Hadrianeia, Kommodeios - Tarsos Metropolis), agonistic crown inscribed KOMOΔEI, OIKO/VME (Kommodeios worldwide) in two lines above, B / NEWKO (two neokorie) in two lines below; ex Zeus Numismatics, auction 11 (01 Aug 2020), lot 453 (realized £60 plus fees); $70.00 SALE PRICE $63.00
 


Hierapolis-Kastabala, Cilicia, 2nd - 1st Century B.C.

|Cilicia|, |Hierapolis-Kastabala,| |Cilicia,| |2nd| |-| |1st| |Century| |B.C.||AE| |20|
Hierapolis-Kastabala is located three kilometers north of the Ceyhan River (the ancient Pyramus) in the southern Turkish province of Osmaniye. Alexander the Great stopped at Kastabala before the Battle of Issus in 333 B.C. Antiochus IV renamed the city Hierapolis.
GB110012. Bronze AE 20, SNG BnF 2216 var. (monogram); SNGvA 5570 var. (same); BMC Lycaonia p. 82, 3 var. (same); SNG Levante 1569 var. (same); SNG Cop 144 var. (same), gF, green patina, scratches, weight 6.685 g, maximum diameter 20.1 mm, die axis 0o, Cilicia, Hierapolis-Castabala (Kirmitli, Turkey) mint, 2nd - 1st century B.C.; obverse veiled head of Tyche right with turreted crown, monogram (control) behind; reverse The river-god Pyramos swimming right, eagle standing right on right hand, IEPO/ΠOΛITΩN in two lines above, TΩN ΠPOΣ TΩ/I ΠVP AMΩI in two lines below; ex Classical Numismatic Group, ex Richard L. Horst Collection; monogram missing from references but one specimen on coin archives; $65.00 SALE PRICE $58.50
 


Domitian, 13 September 81 - 18 September 96 A.D., Flaviopolis, Cilicia

|Cilicia|, |Domitian,| |13| |September| |81| |-| |18| |September| |96| |A.D.,| |Flaviopolis,| |Cilicia||AE| |16|
Vespasian founded both the province of Cilicia and the city of Flaviopolis in 74 A.D. as part of an imperial program for urbanization of the Cilician Plain. Prior to establishing the province, the rural hinterland and the city of Anazarbos were probably administered by the Tracondimotid dynasty from Hieropolis Castabala. The location of Flaviopolis is believed to be Kadirli, Turkey were some mosaic floors, inscriptions, and building blocks have been found. This coin was struck in year 17 of the local era, the first year that Flaviopolis issued coins.
RP99177. Bronze AE 16, RPC II 1761; SNG Levante 1533; Lindgren 1495; Imhoof-Blumer MG p. 352, 21, aVF, weight 1.689 g, maximum diameter 15.6 mm, die axis 0o, Flaviopolis mint, 89 - 90 A.D.; obverse ΔOMETIANOC KAICAP, laureate head of Domitian to right; reverse ETOYC ZI ΦΛAVIOΠOΛEITΩN (year 17, Flaviopolis), draped bust of Dionysos right, thyrsos over left shoulder; $60.00 SALE PRICE $54.00
 




  



CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE FROM THIS CATEGORY - FORVM's PRIOR SALES


REFERENCES

Babelon, E. La collection Waddington au cabinet des médailles. (Paris, 1897-1898).
Babelon, E. Traité des Monnaies Grecques et Romaines, Vol. II: Comprenant les monnaies de l'empire des Perses Achemenides, de l'orient semitque et de l'asia mineure, aux Ve et IVe siecles Avant J.-C. (Paris, 1910).
Bloesch, H. "Hellenistic Coins of Aegeae" in ANSMN 27. (1982), pp. 53 - 96, pls. 17 - 22.
Burnett, A., M. Amandry, et al. Roman Provincial Coinage. (London, 1992 - ).
Casabonne, O. "Conquete Perse et Phenomenen Monetaire L 'Example Cilicien," in MIMAA, pp. 21-91, pl. IV-VIII.
Dismounting Rider: Municipal and Satrapal Coinage of Cilicia Trachea in the Classical Period - dismountingrider.info
Forrer, L. Descriptive Catalogue of the Collection of Greek Coins formed by Sir Hermann Weber, Vol. III, Part 2. (London, 1926).
Göktürk, M. "Small coins from Cilicia and surroundings" in MIMAA.
Haymann, F. Untersuchungen zur Geschichte und Identitätskonstruktion von Aigeai im römischen Kilikien (20 v. - 260 n. Chr.). (Bonn, 2014).
Hill, G. A Catalog of the Greek Coins in the British Museum, Greek Coins of Lycaonia, Isauria, and Cilicia. (London, 1900).
Hoover, O. Handbook of Syrian Coins, Royal and Civic Issues, Fourth to First Centuries BC. (Lancaster, PA, 2009).
Houghton, A., C. Lorber & O. Hoover. Seleucid Coins: A Comprehensive Catalog.. (Lancaster, 2002 - 2008).
Imhoof-Blumer, F. "Coin-Types of Some Kilikian Cities" in the Journal of Hellenic Studies, vol. 17 (1898).
Imhoof-Blumer, F. Griechische Münzen. (Munich, 1890).
Karbach, F.-B. "Die Münzprägung der Stadt Augusta in Kilikien" in JNG XL (1990), p. 35 - 68.
Karbach, F.-B. "Die Münzprägung der Stadt Eirenopolis in Ostkilikien" in JNG XLII/XLIII (1992/93).
Kubitschek, W. "Ninica Claudiopolis" in NZ 34 (1902).
Kraay, C. "The Celenderis Hoard" in NC 1962, pp. 1-15, pls. 1 -11.
Lederer, P. "Die Staterprägung der Stadt Nagidos" in ZfN 41.
Levante, E. "Coinage of Adana in Cilicia" in NC 1984.
Levante, E. "The Coinage of Korakesion in Cilicia" in NC 138 (1978), pp. 24 - 32.
Lindgren, H. & L. Kovacs. Ancient Bronze Coins of Asia Minor and the Levant. (1985).
Lindgren, H. Lindgren III: Ancient Greek Bronze Coins from the Lindgren Collection. (1993).
Moysey, R. "The Silver Stater Issues of Pharnabazos and Datames from the Mint of Tarsus in Cilicia" in ANSMN 31 (1986).
Nelson, B., ed. Numismatic Art of Persia. The Sunrise Collection, Part I: Ancient - 650 BC to AD 650. (Lancaster, PA, 2011).
Newell, E. "Myriandros, Alexandria Kat'isson" in AJN 53 (1919).
Price, M. The Coinage of in the Name of Alexander the Great and Philip Arrhidaeus. (London, 1991).
Prieur, M. & K. Prieur. The Syro-Phoenician Tetradrachms and their fractions from 57 BC to AD 258. (Lancaster, PA, 2000).
RPC Online - http://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/
Sear, D. Greek Coins and Their Values, Vol. 2, Asia and Africa. (London, 1979).
Sear, D. Greek Imperial Coins and Their Values. (London, 1982).
Staffieri, G. "La monetazione di Diocaesarea in Cilicia" in Quaderni Ticinesi XIV (1985).
Staffieri, G. "La Monetazione di Olba nella Cilicia Tracheia" in Quaderni Ticinesi VII (1978).
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Austria, Collection of Franz Leypold, Austrian National Bank. (Vienna, 2000 - 2004).
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Canada, Ancient Cilician Coins from the Collection of B. Tahberer. (Vancouver, 2014).
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Denmark, The Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, Danish National Museum, Vol. 6: Phrygia to Cilicia. (West Milford, NJ, 1982).
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Deutschland, Münzsammlung Universität Tübingen, Part 6: Phrygien-Kappadokien; Römische Provinzprägungen in Kleinasien. (Berlin, 1998).
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Deutschland, Sammlung Hans Von Aulock. Vol. 3: Pisidia, Lycaonia, Cilicia, Galatia, Cappadocia.... (Berlin, 1964).
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Deutschland: Pfälzer Privatsammlungen, Part 6: Isaurien und Kilikien. (Munich, 2001).
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, France, Cabinet des Médailles, Bibliothéque Nationale, Vol. 2: Cilicia. (Paris, 1993).
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Israel I, The Arnold Spaer Collection of Seleucid Coins. (London, 1998).
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, Switzerland I. Levante - Cilicia. (Zurich, 1986; suppl., 1993).
Winzer, A. Antike portraitmünzen der Perser und Greichen aus vor-hellenistischer Zeit (Zeitraum ca. 510-322 v.Chr.). (March-Hugstetten, 2005).
Ziegler, R. Münzen Kilikiens aus kleineren deutschen Sammlungen. (Munich, 1988).

Catalog current as of Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Page created in 1.266 seconds.
All coins are guaranteed for eternity