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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Theodosius, post: 2857574, member: 77077&quot;]I was intrigued when I first saw this coin type. I noticed that CNG included a run of a dozen or so in each of the last few e-auctions and I realized I needed to snag one before the supply dried up. I learned my lesson in the past about getting complacent that I could get certain types anytime I wanted.&nbsp; Even when it seems like there are a lot of examples of a type on the market, when the supply dries up, that may be it for a long time. </p><p><br /></p><p>Phaselis has been suspected of being a punning type, in the sense that the name of the city is very similar to a Greek word for a boat, so they show the prow and stern of a ship on their coins. Others have stated that a war galley as shown on the coin is not the type of boat implied by the word &quot;phaselus&quot;.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>I think its a clever design to show the stern on one side and the prow on the other (how many other coin types use this conceit?).&nbsp; My photo montage shows the reverse first and then the obverse, which is technically wrong, purists hold thy noses.&nbsp; The Phaselians really should have struck another series of staters showing the galley&#039;s mid sections with rowers and mast.&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>These come in many variations of galley decorations and magistrate symbols.&nbsp; It would be interesting to know how closely the coins depicted actual war galleys. </p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]679703[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>LYCIA, Phaselis.</p><p>AR Stater, 4th century BC, 21mm, 10.40 g, 10h.</p><p>Obverse: Prow of galley right, fighting platform decorated with facing gorgoneion; to right, cicada upward.</p><p>Reverse: Stern of galley left, with wreath hanging from pole mounted on the deck.</p><p>References: Heipp-Tamer Series 6, unlisted variety; Triton XIX, lot 256 (same obv. die); CNG 100, lot 1521 (same obv. die); CNG 99, lot 280 var. (cicada downward).</p><p>Minor die rust on obverse.</p><p><br /></p><p>Please post your coins from Phaselis or coins with ships.</p><p><br /></p><p>John[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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