This coin is my latest ancient Greek pickup. The ancient city of Tarsus was located 10 km in from the coast in the region of Cilicia, which was situated on the south central coast of modern day Turkey, just north of the Island of Cyprus. Tarsus was part of the Persian Satrapy from around 450 BC on to the mid 4th century BC when it became increasingly Hellenized. Pharnabazus II was Satrap (Protector of the Realm) of Cilicia under the Persian Empire. This coin was minted in Tarsus during the latter years his reign. Pharnabazus led Persian armies in support of Athens against Sparta during the Greek Cities civil wars of the 4th century BC. He also led Greek mercenaries against the rebellious kingdom of Egypt in 373. It is from this campaign that this coin is believed to have originated as payment to the Greek mercenaries under his command. There is debate in numismatic circles as to whether the image on the reverse of this coin is his likeness or represents Ares, the god of war. Cilicia Tarsos; Time of Pharnabazus II, BC 387-373 AR Stater, 23mm/10.3g OBV: Head of Arethusa facing slightly left wearing single pendant earrings and necklace REV: HLK in Aramaic, Bearded head Left of Ares, wearing crested Athenian helmet with raised ear flap. (SNG Lev 89) Please post your Greek Stater coins!
I was selling one of these on ebay, but it went unsold. Oh well. I guess I will have to bare owning one... BTW you coin is quite nice.
Depends on your price, but let me know if you still want to sell it. Also, the OP coin is quite nice. At least the nose hasn't been rubbed off, and that's saying something.
Very cool looking coin, Bannon ... I love the 3/4 facing obverse of Athena (sweet) ... this example is also from Cilicia Tarsos ... CILICIA, Tarsos. Æ18 164-27 BC Diameter: 18 mm Weight: 3.42 grams Obverse: Club; MH-TPO (in monogram form) flanking; all within wreath Reverse: Zeus Nikephoros seated left; star-in-crescent to left
