The second coin I purchased last month is from Ephesus. I had one similar, but it was in rougher condition, and the stag was facing right/head left. So, I guess you can say this is an upgrade. EPHESUS, IONIA AE13 OBVERSE: E-[Φ], bee REVERSE: Forepart of stag recumbent left, head right (Uncertain magistrate) Sturck at Ephesus, ca 390-320 BC 12.9 mm, 2.06 g SNG Copenhagen 247-53 My older coin: Post coins from Ephesus or any coins with insects
Antoninus Pius, Ephesus, AE 35 Obv.: Τ ΑΙΛ ΚΑΙϹΑΡ ΑΝΤΩΝƐΙΝΟϹ, laureate head of Antoninus Pius, r. rev.: ƐΦƐϹΙΩΝ / ΔΙϹ ΝƐΟΚΟΡΩΝ, temple with eight columns enclosing statue of Artemis of Ephesus standing, facing, wearing calathos, having supports; (to l., crescent; to r., star) RPC IV.2, 1111 (temporary)
Nice coin. The bee and the stag are both symbols representing Artimis. The Temple of Artemis- one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World- was situated in Ephesus, the bee was of great consequence as a symbol of the city. The priestesses in the Temple were even called melissae (honey bees). The stag, of course, is related to hunting and wild animals. (Cited from: https://www.cointalk.com/threads/np-ephesus-ionia.403877/)
Here are my examples: Ephesos, Ionia, 4th-3rd BC AE, 1.08g, 11mm; 12h Obv.: Turreted female head left, Artemis Rev.: [E-Φ] (mostly off flan, hints of the letters); bee with straight wings Ephesos, Ionia, 280-258 BC AE, .42g, 7mm; 7h Obv.: Bee Rev.: Stag head right
Date 48 – 27 B.C. AE13. Obv. Bee, E---0 in upper field, all within laurel-wreath. Rev. Stag stg. r., looking back, long torch in background. GCVSII #4415. ABCAM #453. Date 280 – 258 B.C. AE10. Obv. Turreted female head left. Rev. Bee, E---0 in upper field. GCVSII #4409. ABCAM #454. Date 280 – 258 B.C. AE18. Obv. Bee, E---0 in upper field, all within laurel-wreath. Rev. Stag grazing r., quiver above. GCVSII #4406. ABCAM #452. Date 390 - 330 B.C. AR Diobol. Obv. Bee, with straight wings, dividing E---O. Rev. E0 above two Stag’s heads confronted. GCVSII #4375. Date 387 – 295 B.C. AE11 W 1.87gm. Obv. Female head left. Rev. E---0, Bee with straight wings. COP 25c. dark patina
