My journey through the ancient Greek world continues...

My two latest arrivals. Saving up cash so I had to keep things cheap when I searched for more Greek coins to add to my growing collection of them, but I am definitely satisfied with what I was able to catch. I am into any sort of building or architecture on an ancient coin; to me these serve as windows into what the ancient world would have looked like (yes, including the "boring" campgates, which also look like city gates to me), so the Perge bronze with the temple of Artemis was a no-brainer. With the Sardis bronze, it was the rough-but-clear bust and the well-preserved lion that one me over. For both coins, I didn't have either city represented in my collection so this was another plus in their favor.

Sardis, Lydia
AE15
Obv: Head of Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy
Rev: ΣAΡΔIANΩN, forepart of lion right, ΡΣE monogram in left field
Mint: Sardis
Date: 180-133 BC
Ref: Hunter 7; Paris 1155



A city in western Asia Minor (in the region of Lydia), Sardis/Sardes was once the capital of the Lydians as part of their Lydian Empire in the 8th century BC. Over the subsequent centuries it was conquered numerous times; the Cimmerians, the Persians, the Athenians, the Seleucids, the Macedonians, all claimed Sardis as part of their domains. It was at Sardis that metallurgists were first able to separate gold from silver, thus introducing the first nearly pure gold and silver coins that became more trusted than the electrum coins then in use. The city also became well-known as a center of manufacture, notably for its textile products. After the Greek era, Sardis became part of the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire, but during the time of the latter, the city declined in importance as roads moved away from the area. In the late 11th century, Sardis was taken from the Byzantines by the Seljuk Turks but was later reconquered by Byzantine general John Doukas. Byzantine domination was to last only another two centuries, however, and in 1402, Sardis, already a run-down and depopulated shell of its ancient self, was captured and destroyed by the Turco-Mongol warlord and Emir of the Timurid Empire, Timur (Tamerlane).

( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sardis - cool photos of the ruins here!)

Perga, Pamphylia
AE15
Obv: Cult statue of Artemis within distyle temple
Rev: AΡTEMIΔ ΠEΡΓAIAΣ, Quiver with strap
Mint: Perga
Date: 200-1 BC
Ref: SNG Cop 308



Perga/Perge was a settlement in Pamphylia (also in Asia Minor). As with Sardis, it came under Persian, Athenian, Seleucid, Macedonian, Roman, and Byzantine control. In ancient times Perga was famous for its worship of the goddess Artemis, to whom the citizens constructed a temple just outside of the city, and religious festivals were held in her honor. During the early Roman imperial era, Perga was a stop on St. Paul's travels in the region, where he and St. Barnabas preached to the local inhabitants. It wasn't until three centuries after St. Paul visited the city that it became a center of Christianity. By the time the Seljuk Turks arrived in the region in the 11th century, Perga was already abandoned.

( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perga - more cool photos! )

Feel free to post your coins of Sardis and/or Perga!

 

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Not sureI see a lion VK. Looks more like a sea creature or vulture to me. But then what do I know, eh?

 

Funny enough, I thought the lion was depicted as laying down with its hind quarters towards the viewer and its right front leg as one of its back legs,



and I remember thinking that that was an interesting pose for a lion on a coin. Unfortunately I was wrong but its a nice lion nonetheless (and I'm not just saying that so that it doesn't eat me in my sleep ).

 

nice VK...one of those little cult statue/quiver combos in on my hit list...pretty high up!

 

Wow, Jango ... those are fantastic new additions (congrats)

I don't seem to have one of those cool Sardis examples, but I do happen to have an example of that cool coin from Pamphylia ... wanna see it?

PAMPHYLIA, Perge, Æ18
Circa 50-30 BC
Diameter: 18 mm
Weight: 3.92 grams
Obverse: Cult statue of Artemis Pergaia facing within distyle temple; c/m: sphinx seated right within circular incuse
Reverse: Bow and quiver
Reference: Colin Series 7.2; SNG BN 373-8

 

Took me a sec to see the lion too lol. Neat coins.

 

I'm enjoying your Greek sojourn. Both coins are cool and interesting.

 

Thanks all!