This little coin arrived today with a dark green patina and abundant detail... Smyrna, Ionia, Magistrate Hras, 105-95 BC. AE17, 4.7g, 12h. Obv: Turreted bust of Tyche right. Rev: ZMYPNAIΩN HPAΣ, Aphrodite Stratonikis, wearing polos, standing facing, resting arm on column, holding Nike, monogram. Reference: Milne 289; SNG Cop 1191; Mionnet III 1075; Rhousopoulos 3778.
"During the first century CE the temple of Aphrodite Stratonikis at Smyrna was a place of refuge for debtors, runaway slaves, and criminals. When ordered by the Roman Senate to defend this status for the temple, the Smyrneans successfully argued that an oracle of Apollo had long ago conferred upon the city the privilege of building the temple of Aphrodite Stratonikis as a place of refuge." Richard S. Ascough, Religious Rivalries and the Struggle for Success in Sardis and Smyrna, p.48
Sweet score, JA ... that baby might be worth bidding on? Hope you're having a great day, my coin-friend
Only a bit of her polos can be seen on the coin, but this statue from 7th century BC Crete gives you a better idea. Basically a cookie tin hat.
Did you know tee-shirts were originally invented for men because we were once incapable of sewing on buttons when they fell off? We've come a long way baby!
Thanks Chris. In fact, the bust of Tyche is one of the most elegant I've seen. It was a big selling point for me on this coin.
That really is a lovely green. I wish mine had a larger flan, because I've always liked the Tyche on it, and the Aphrodite is all, like, hey guys, check out my polos!
