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1117
Cilicia, Nagidos. Silver Stater (10.10 g), ca. 360-333 BC. Aphrodite seated left, holding patera and resting
elbow on back of chair; to left, Nike flying right, crowning her with wreath; below seat, mouse left. Rev.
NAGIDIKON
, Dionysos standing facing, head left, holding grape bunch and thyrsos; in upper left field,
ZW
monogram; in lower left field, AK; c/m: bill walking with within incuse square. (cf. Lederer 47 (same obv.
die); sf. SNG BN 28-41 (diff. controls)). Ancient countermark and ancient test cut. A fantastic example of
an ancient trade coin of the realm. Extremely fine.
$ 1,250
ex NFA MBS (18 October 1990), lot 370
ex NFA MBS (15 January 1982), lot 245.
Little is known about the Cilician city of Nagidos beyond that it was considered a Samian foundation, had an eponymous hero
named Nagis, and was incorporated into the Achaemenid Persian Empire perhaps as early as 545 BC. In the Classical period the city
and the rest of Cilicia was governed by Persian satraps. The coinage of Nagidos and other Cilician cities of the period is notable for
the frequent use of full figure designs on both sides of the coin. Here Aphrodite is depicted on the obverse, which has been taken as
an indication that the city had an important temple dedicated to the Greek goddess of love, but it is just as possible that this type
refers to the cult of the Persian deity, Anahita, which was often brought to Asia Minor by Persian officials and who was frequently
identified with Aphrodite by the Greeks.
1118
Cilicia, Nagidos. Silver Stater (9.30 g), ca. 360-333 BC. Aphrodite seated left, holding patera and resting
elbow on back of chair; to left, Nike flying right, crowning her with wreath; below seat, mouse left. Rev.
NAGIDIKON
, Dionysos standing facing, head left, holding grape bunch and thyrsos; in upper left field,
monogram; in lower left field, A
S
. (cf. Lederer 51 (same obv. die); sf. SNG BN 28-41 (diff. controls)).
Toned. Obverse die wear and minor porosity. Very fine.
$ 600
1119
Cilicia, Tarsos. Mazaios. Silver Stater (10.64 g), Satrap, 361/0-334 BC. ‘BLRTZ’ (Aramaic), Baaltars seated
left, head and torso facing, holding eagle, grain ear, grapes, and scepter. Rev. ‘MZDY’ (Aramaic), lion
attacking bull left; below, Aramaic letter. (Casabonne series 2A; SNG BN -; SNG Levante -; SNG von
Aulock 5959). Toned. Extremely fine.
$ 1,000