Depending on who was in control at the time, the electrum coinage of Phokaia and Mytilene in Ionia was struck as payment to either the Persian Empire or the Delian League. Issued semi-annually, the volume of coins minted was prolific – both mints produced a wide range of designs and a significant output of electrum coinage. Even though the Athens owl tetradrachms were increasing in popularity, the hektes produced from Ionia remained the preferred coinage around the Aegean Sea. They were able to maintain their dominance through highly profitable trade with the other coastal cities, resulting in the hekte acting as a recognizable trade currency. Stylistically, the coins resembled intaglio gem engraving, with the reverses engraved incuse. While Mytilene utilized the reverse space with additional artistic designs, Phokaia retained the archaic tradition of the four-part incuse square. Phokaia also consistently depicted their civic badge, a seal named Phoke, on the obverse of the coin alongside the primary image of a god or animal. They remained in circulation across the region for over two centuries, helped in part by their relative resistance to wear through the firm alloy of silver and gold. The series was finally ended in 326 BC when gold became preferred over electrum after Alexander the Great standardized the coinage of eastern Greece. This coin is unknown to any reference guide and possibly unique. However, it can be accurately identified as a coin minted by Phokaia by both the seal shown on the obverse and the incuse reverse square. The portrait shown on the obverse is that of Zeus. While a common choice for coins throughout Greece due to the significance and popularity of the “King of the Gods”, Zeus occurs relatively infrequently on electrum and is only seen facing left on one other very rare issue. Regardless of the metal type, Zeus is always depicted majestically, paying homage to his importance. This coin is no exception, showing his portrait in a respectful, fine style and adorned with a laurel wreath, fit for the “Father of Gods and men”. IONIA, Phokaia, Electrum Hekte, ca.450-400BC, 9mm, 2.6g. Head of Zeus l./Quadripartite incuse square. Extremely rare, possibly unique. Post your hektes, or coins featuring Zeus!
You seem to be having a good run with EL pickups, AJ... all of them fantastic, and this one no exception. Thinking about the antiquity of these electrum coins is making me wonder which coin bears the earliest depiction of Zeus. I have no hektes, and just two coins with Zeus on them, nicknamed Big Z and Little Z...
The Zeus hecte is nice because it actually shows the seal, something you don't find often in those because of the strike. I could ask Joeseph Linzalone here in Dec. but I haven't seen this one (and I have seen a lot, but he would know better than me).
Like most ancient collectors, I have many coins featuring Zeus-- or I thought I did. Most of mine are of Zeus Ammon. Since I'm currently working on a new thread for the latter, I'll only post my nicest non-syncreted Zeus here. KINGS OF MACEDON, Philip II. 356-36 BCE AR tetradrachm. 24mm, 14.20 gm, 12h Lifetime issue of Pella, 342-336 BCE Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right Rev: ΦIΛIΠ-ΠOY, youth, holding palm and reins, on horseback right, thunderbolt below, N in exergue Ref: Le Rider 222-306. SNG ANS 385-95 Deeply struck and beautifully toned. NGC Choice VF 5/5 - 3/5, Fine Style. privately acquired August 2013; ex Colosseo Collection Image by Colosseo Collection
Do the ATG tetradrachms count? ;3 I think I see Athena more than Zeus, which makes sense given the times.
Another nice coin AJ. ARCADIA MEGALOPOLIS Triobol OBVERSE: Laureate head of Zeus left REVERSE: Pan seated left, holding lagobolon; eagle on knee, monogram before, D/L behind Struck at Megalopolis 182-168 BC 2.160g, 14mm Dengate 13
what a beauty, another "10 beaver" coin form AJ! here's one of my more interesting (to me) zeus coins. an indo-greek zeus-lincoln.
Wowzer => yup, it's another absolute AJ-winner!! (always a pleasure to view your wares) Zeus, eh? (I have a good handful of 'em) ... man, that dude really loved tossin' those thunderbolts!! Diocletian (Zeus with eagle) Philip II (the ol' Zeus side-shot) Pontos Amisos (Zeus and Eagle on Thunderbolt) => a couple o' sweet Ptolemy IVs Syracuse Hicetas (Zeus and Eagle on Thunderbolt) Syracuse Timoleon Ptolemy X
Another stunning coin, AJ. Congratulations! How about Zeus stamped with Cleopatra's mark? Antioch ad Orontes, Semi-Autonomous AE23, 10.77g, 12h, Denomination A; Antioch: after 47 BC Obv.: Laureate head of Zeus right; countermark of Cleopatra VII. Rev.: [A]NTIOΣEΩN [ME]TPOΠOΛ[EΩΣ]; Zeus seated left, holding Nike and scepter, thunderbolt above. Reference: Butcher 20, SNG Cop 80
During the civil war between Octavian and Mark Antony, Antony granted sections of his Levantine conquests to his lover, Cleopatra (who he persistently canoodled despite being married to Octavian's sister). Antioch ad Orontes was one of Antony's gifts to Cleopatra, and one occasionally finds coins of this era counter-marked with her bust. But Antony eventually got his butt kicked, Octavian took the name Augustus, and the Roman Republic became the Roman Empire. (That's the Reader's Digest version.)
Thanks! I have been on a bit of an electrum buying spree. These small coins tend to not be as appreciated as they should be. I have a couple more waiting in the wings still but will probably shift gears over to silver for the next couple weeks
