I recently added this little beauty from Rhodes from the last Leu auction. It’s a little outside my normal collecting area, but I’ve always loved the style of these, and I’ve wanted to add something from Rhodes ever since I visited there a few years ago. ISLANDS OFF CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 88-84 BC. AR Drachm (16 mm, 2.58 g), 'Plinthophoric' coinage, Maes, magistrate. Radiate head of Helios to right. Rev. ΜΑΗΣ / P - O Rose with bud to left; to right, headdress of Isis; all within incuse square. Jenkins, Rhodian, Group E, 246. This later style of coinage from Rhodes is known as “plinthophoric” coinage, and was used from the late 2nd Century B.C. through 84 B.C. The term comes from the Greek “plinthos,” meaning “brick” or “tile”, and refers to the reverse design, which is contained within an incuse square. It really is amazing how much detail they were able to fit in that little square. Like nearly all coins from Rhodes, the obverse shows Helios, the sun god and the patron deity of Rhodes. In this later style of coinage, unlike the earlier issues, Helios is shown in profile, instead of facing. I know many members here have some beautiful examples, so please post your coins from Rhodes!
Funny. I bid on a very similar coin last night. But alas, I didn't bid high enough. That's a nice example @Shea19
I do have this example, but I would have loved one similar to yours. CARION ISLANDS: RHODES Hemidrachm OBVERSE: Radiate head of Helios 3/4 facing REVERSE: Rose with magistrates name above, caduceous left all within uncuse square Struck at Rhodes 167-88 BC 1.6g; 12mm Sear 5065v
I'll offer five coins of Rhodes with the idea of hitting multiple price brackets but not the highest. Perhaps someone else has the gold??? Earliest from me is a toned facing head AR hemidrachm (394-387 BC - 1.6g) At this point the reverse would be termed an incuse square but not 'Plinthophoric'. This AR didrachm (304-164 BC - 6.6g) before the 'Plinthophoric' period has Helios 3/4 facing and a rose under the city name (ethnic). From the 'Plinthophoric' group is a hemidrachm (167-88 BC - 1.3g) is rather like Shea19's coin but has the 3/4 head and a different magistrate rendered in very small letters. There are many magistrates with similar names and I must warn that gamma and rho are hard to separate at this size unless you have high grade coins. Next is an AE27 (167-88 BC - 15.58g) I have no idea how many of these equalled a hemidrachm. I would not show this last one since it is not a rose but it is my favorite of the city. This AE36 (nice hunk of bronze!) comes from the Roman period (31 BC-60 AD - 25.8g) and bears magistrate names as well as the ethnic on the reverse. The gently curved reverse die would have been better had the strike been more firm. Want list: Does anyone have a bronze of Rhodes with the face of Nero? Several have sold but not to me...yet. https://www.cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=327723
Nice one Shea! Great rose on your new coin. Here is my Rhodes example. A Beauty from Rhodes Islands off Caria Rhodes AR Hemidrachm, struck ca. 166-88 BC Dia.: 13.5 mm Wt.: 1.2 g Obv.: Head of Helios right Rev.: P-O to either side of rose, ϺΑΗΣ above, crown of Isis at lower right, all within incuse square Ref.: BMC XVIII 268-270 (Var. Hemidrachm)
Great coins everyone, thanks for sharing. @dougsmit , Wow, what a great set. The didrachm is a stunner, and I especially like that big bronze...36mm?! I’ve never seen one of those from Rhodes, fantastic coin. @Bing and @Andres2 , those are some beautiful little ones, great detail. @Curtisimo , love the toning on your coin. I hadn’t seen your old post...what a great Saturnalia gift!
Please read this below. Can be found on Jstor Rhodian Bronze Coinage and the Siege of Mithradates VI Author(s): R.H.J. ASHTON Source: The Numismatic Chronicle (1966-), Vol. 161 (2001), pp. 53-66 This is what I based my Headdress of Isis theory from on academia and support for Muller's dating of the province of Asia cistophoric coinage of Ephesos.
Two of mine : Rhodos, Rhodes AR Plinthophoric Drachm. Circa 88-84 BC. Euphanes, magistrate. Radiate head of Helios right Rose with bud to right; crown of Isis to right, EYΦANHΣ above, P-O across fields; all within incuse square. Rhodos. ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΣ (Nikephoros), magistrate circa 88-84 BC. Plinthophoric Drachm AR 15 mm., 2,48 g. Radiate head of Helios right NIKHΦOPOΣ, rose with bud to right, hand holding grain ear to left; P-O across fields.
Nice coin! I won the same kind of coin in the same Leu auction, I think you will recognize it. ISLANDS OFF CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 88-84 BC. Drachm (Silver, 16 mm, 2.08 g, 11 h), 'Plinthophoric' coinage, Maes, magistrate. Radiate head of Helios to right. Rev. ΜΑΗΣ / P - O Rose with bud to left; to right, headdress of Isis; all within incuse square. HGC 6, 1461. Jenkins, Rhodian, Group E, 246. SNG Keckman 686. This is my other Plintophoric coin, from a much earlier period than our light-weighted "Mithridatic" issues. Rhodes. Plinthophoric Drachm (Circa 190-170 BC). Magistrate Onasandros. Obverse: Radiate head of Helios right. Reverse: ONAΣANΔPOΣ / P - O. Rose with bud to right. Control: Butterfly to left; all within incuse square. Reference: Jenkins Group A, 5; HGC 6, 1457. 3.09g; 16mm
Probably my favourite coin: Rhodes Coin: EF Silver Drachm - Radiate head of Helios right ΑΝΑΞΙΔΟΤΟΣ P O - Rose with bud, snake on omphalos in left field Mint: (190-170 BC) Wt./Size/Axis: 2.55g / 15mm / - References: Jenkins 1989, 15 HGC 6, 1457 BMC 247 In hand is more silver/blue.