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Message:: [QUOTE="Curtisimo, post: 7811465, member: 83845"][ATTACH=full]1342099[/ATTACH]PAMPHYLIA, AspendosAR Stater, Aspendos mint, struck ca. 380-325 BCDia.: 22.1 mmWt.: 10.62 gObv.: Two wrestlers; the left one holds the left arm of his opponent with both hands, the opponent grasping with right hand his right wrist; no control in between legs.Rev.: Slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right; Π in between legs; on right, triskeles to right, EΣTFEΔIIVΣ behind, all within incuse square; c/m: wolf running left in rectangular incuse.Ref.: BMC 52; SNG Copenhagen 214; Tekin Series 4Ex Harlan J. Berk; Ex Minotaur Coins[ATTACH=full]1342100[/ATTACH] AspendosApsendos was an ancient city located on the west side of the Eurymedon River in Pamphylia (modern southwestern Turkey).  It was an important economic center in antiquity but played a much more modest role in political history. As a Tekin Series 4 stater this coin is dated within a range of 380-325 BC which covers a period when the city was mostly subject to Persia. In the 5th century BC Aspendos was part of the Delian League (Athenian Empire) up until the end of the Peloponnesian War and the defeat of Athens. Hegemony over the city was then contested between various Greek powers and Persia until 389 BC. In 389 BC the Athenian admiral Thrasybulus sailed the Athenian navy up the Eurymedon river to the city in order to “liberate” it.  The people of Aspendos agreed to pay a large sum of silver if the Athenians would leave the city unharmed. Instead, Thrasybulus took the money and proceeded to pillage the surrounding countryside. The enraged Aspendians staged a daring night raid on the Athenian camp in response and were able to fall upon and kill Thrasybulus while he was still in his tent. Aspendos then remained quietly under Persian control until it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 333 BC.  Alexander was initially inclined to be generous to the city by only requiring it to pay him the taxes previously paid to the Persians.  When the people of Aspendos went back on this agreement Alexander marched his army back to the city and imposed a heavy tax burden and a Macedonian garrison on it. [ATTACH=full]1342101[/ATTACH]Google Earth view of the ancient Aspendos acropolis. The Roman era theatre is in the foreground. [ATTACH=full]1342102[/ATTACH]A view of the theatre looking towards the Eurymedon River. NotesThe obverse of this coin famously depicts the sport of wrestling. It is a popular coin type to collect due to the 16 different positions of the wrestlers. The reverse shows a slinger. The reason for this is probably that the Greek word for sling (σφενδόνη) has a similar sound to the name of the city (ασπενδοζ). By way of comparison this is also the reason the people of Rhodes used a rose as the symbol for their city. According to Tekin and BMC, this coin (by virtue of the single letter on the reverse and lack of letters on the obverse) belongs to the early part of the series.  That would tend to date this coin closer to 380 BC. Please post your<ul> <li>Coins from Aspendos!</li> <li>Coins showing athletes!</li> <li>Coins related to the Olympics!</li> </ul>[/QUOTE]

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