Obverse: Portrait of the King Wearing a Diadem Facing Right. Reverse: Apollo Nude Seated on Omphalos, Holding Arrow and Bow The Seleukid Kingdom was established by Seleukos  More »

Obverse: Portrait of the King Wearing a Diadem Facing Right. Reverse: Apollo Nude Seated on Omphalos, Holding Arrow and Bow The Seleukid Kingdom was established by Seleukos I, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, following the death of Alexander and the division of his empire. At its peak under Seleukos I and Antiochus I, the Seleucid Kingdom comprised almost the whole of the conquests of Alexander with the exception of Egypt. Antiochus III, known as “the Great,” was the younger son of Seleukos II and brother of Seleukos III. A soldier of great ability, he successfully campaigned between 212 and 205 B.C. to restore Alexander’s empire in Judea from the clutches of Ptolemy V as well as the kingdoms of Parthia and Bactria. Later he was defeated by the Romans following their victory over Phillip V of Macedon in 197. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether currency in the age we live or an artifact of a long forgotten empire. This ancient coin is more than an artifact; it is a memorial to a lost kingdom passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.139)   « Less

Obverse: Portrait of the King Wearing a Diadem Facing Right Reverse: Apollo Nude Seated on Omphalos, Holding Arrow and Bow The Seleukid Kingdom was established by Seleukos  More »

Obverse: Portrait of the King Wearing a Diadem Facing Right Reverse: Apollo Nude Seated on Omphalos, Holding Arrow and Bow The Seleukid Kingdom was established by Seleukos I, one of the generals of Alexander the Great, following the death of Alexander and the division of his empire. At its peak under Seleukos I and Antiochus I, the Seleucid Kingdom comprised almost the whole of the conquests of Alexander with the exception of Egypt. Elder son of Antiochus III the Great, Seleukos IV had a lackluster reign that witnessed the independence of Parthia and Bactria. Besides losing these territories that his father had conquered, he was also forced to pay a war-indemnity charge to the Romans. However, he governed the territory that left within his control well until he was finally murdered by his minister Heliodoros. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether currency in the age we live or an artifact of a long forgotten empire. This ancient coin is more than an artifact; it is a memorial to a lost kingdom passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.141)   « Less

Obverse: Portrait of Helios. Reverse: Rose The island nation of Rhodes was an immensely successful commercial power of the Aegean. They strategically sided with Athens but,  More »

Obverse: Portrait of Helios. Reverse: Rose The island nation of Rhodes was an immensely successful commercial power of the Aegean. They strategically sided with Athens but, when in jeopardy, negotiated favorable surrenders to Sparta, Alexander the Great, and Demetrios Poliorketes, allowing them to sustain at least some degree of independence based on neutrality. Rhodes was named for the rose, depicted on the reverse of this coin. A portrait of Helios, the sun god, wearing a crown of rays graces the obverse. This image was based upon the head of the great statue of Helios, better known as the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Colossus memorialized the war with Demetrios Poliorketes. He unsuccessfully attacked the city for over a year, around 305-304 B.C. Eventually, a settlement was negotiated and Poliorketes abandoned his siege towers constructed from valuable timbers that the Rhodeans in turn sold off for shipbuilding. The proceeds from this sale were invested in the huge (105 ft.) bronze statue of Helios standing at the entrance of the harbor. While the famous statue served as a reminder of the city's fortitude during the siege and became a tourist attraction, it only stood until 227 B.C. when it was toppled by an earthquake. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether currency in the age we live or an artifact of a long forgotten empire. This ancient coin is more than an artifact; it is a memorial to the glories of Rhodes passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.143)   « Less

Obverse: Alexander in the Guise of Hercules. Reverse: Zeus Seated Holding an Eagles and Scepter How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras  More »

Obverse: Alexander in the Guise of Hercules. Reverse: Zeus Seated Holding an Eagles and Scepter How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether currency in the age we live or an artifact of a long forgotten empire. Worth a month’s pay, a silver coin like this would have rewarded the bravery and fortitude of the officers serving under one of history’s most celebrated generals, Alexander the Great. Son to King Phillip II of Macedon, tutored in his youth by Aristotle, Alexander conquered one of the largest kingdoms the world has ever known. Marching from Egypt, through Asia Minor, and into the heart of central Asia, Alexander lead a swift and successful military campaign that defeated the potent Persians and stretched the edges of Hellenic civilization to new lands. While his vast empire dissolved after his death, the carefully cultivated legend of Alexander will continue to live on not only in our history books and museums, but also in artifacts like this coin: concrete remnants of ancient empires passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.174)   « Less

Obverse: Helmeted Head of Athena Parthenos. Reverse: Owl Standing on an Amphora Surrounded by an Olive Wreath The glories of ancient Athens are well known. From the  More »

Obverse: Helmeted Head of Athena Parthenos. Reverse: Owl Standing on an Amphora Surrounded by an Olive Wreath The glories of ancient Athens are well known. From the ubiquitous photographs of the Parthenon high upon the Acropolis overlooking the city to the writings of Plato and Socrates, ancient Athens has permeated our modern lives. In fact, many foundations of our modern world have their roots in Athens, the birthplace of democracy and philosophy. Athens was a city of orators, whose convincing arguments would sway the voting populace, made up of male citizens, to change argument into policy. Perhaps Athens is so important because it gave a voice to the individual; that is, if you were qualified to speak. The transfer of power from the elite to the masses, a social phenomenon that first flourished in Athens, would revolutionize the governing structures of the world for the next two thousand years. In a way, we are all Athenians. Just looking at architecture of our nation’s capital proves the lasting impact this ancient city continues to have today. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. The helmeted head of Athena, warrior Goddess of wisdom, graces the obverse of this coin. She was the mythic protector of Athens and the source of the city’s name. Her attribute was the owl, depicted on the reverse of the coin, an animal also associated with wisdom, perhaps through its relation with the Goddess. This magnificent coin is a memorial to the ancient glories of Athens passed down from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.228)   « Less

Obverse: Forepart of a Pegasus surrounded by a grapevine. Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square. Mysia was an ancient district in northwest Anatolia (modern Turkey)  More »

Obverse: Forepart of a Pegasus surrounded by a grapevine. Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square. Mysia was an ancient district in northwest Anatolia (modern Turkey) adjoining the Sea of Marmara on the north and the Aegean Sea on the west. Mysia designated a geographic rather than a political territory and encompassed Aeolis, Troas, and the region surrounding the great city- state Pergamum. Lampsakos, originally called Pityussa, was a Mysian city located on the southern shore of the Hellespont opposite Kallipolis. It had a good harbor, and was said to have been founded by the Milesians or the Phokaians. During the 6th and 5th c. B.C. it belonged to Lydia, and then to the Persians; it joined the Athenian League, paying 12 talents, and was an object of contention among the Athenians, Spartans and Persians from 411 B.C. until the Hellenistic period. Ultimately, it allied with Rome in 190 B.C. and prospered thereafter. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. This magnificent coin is a memorial to the ancient glories of Lampsakos and greater Mysia passed down from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.2233)   « Less

Obverse: Forepart of Pegasus, Tunny Fish Below. Reverse: Quadrapartite Incuse Square The ancient city of Kyzikos was located on a peninsula jutting out into the Propontis  More »

Obverse: Forepart of Pegasus, Tunny Fish Below. Reverse: Quadrapartite Incuse Square The ancient city of Kyzikos was located on a peninsula jutting out into the Propontis (ancient name for the Sea of Marmara). Named after Kyzikos, the son of Apollo and legendary founder of the city, Kyzikos thrived for more than 2,000 years ruling over a large area from the Hellespont, the Bosphorus, all of the Propontis, and its interior lands. Kyzikos played a significant role in the long history of Greece. It shared in the unceasing fight of the Greek cities of Asia Minor against the Persians. After the Midian wars, Greek independence was established in the cities of Asia Minor. Kyzikos, an independent and strong Greek city, was a desired ally of the Athenians and Spartans and, with the rise of Alexander the Great, became part of the massive unified Greek Empire he established. After Alexander’s demise, during the reign of his heirs, Kyzikos kept friendly relations with the neighboring kingdom of Pergamon. Its relationship warmed even more when the king of Pergamon, Attalos I, took as his wife, Apolloniada, who hailed from Kyzikos. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether currency in the age we live or an artifact of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin is more than an artifact; it is a memorial an ancient city that managed to maintain a level of autonomy while confronted by some of the largest empires the ancient world had known. - (C.7615)   « Less

Obverse: Wild Boar Standing Facing to the Left, Tunny Fish Below. Reverse: Quadrapartite Incuse Punch The ancient city of Kyzikos was located on a peninsula jutting out  More »

Obverse: Wild Boar Standing Facing to the Left, Tunny Fish Below. Reverse: Quadrapartite Incuse Punch The ancient city of Kyzikos was located on a peninsula jutting out into the Propontis (ancient name for the Sea of Marmara). Named after Kyzikos, the son of Apollo and legendary founder of the city, Kyzikos thrived for more than 2,000 years ruling over a large area from the Hellespont, the Bosphorus, all of the Propontis, and its interior lands. Kyzikos played a significant role in the long Greek history. It shared in the unceasing fight of the Greek cities of Asia Minor against the Persians. After the Midian wars, Greek independence was established in the cities of Asia Minor. Kyzikos, an independent and strong Greek city, was a desired ally of the Athenians and Spartans and, with the rise of Alexander the Great, became part of the massive unified Greek Empire he established. After Alexander’s demise, during the reign of his heirs, Kyzikos kept friendly relations with the neighboring kingdom of Pergamon. Its relationship warmed even more when the king of Pergamon, Attalos I, took as his wife, Apolloniada, who hailed from Kyzikos. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether currency in the age we live or an artifact of a long forgotten empire. Kyzikos was one of the earliest minting cities to strike coins, beginning its series of electrum staters, like this one, and fractions around 600 BC. From the late 6th century until late in the 4th century, coins were issued continually, with hundreds of types now known. It was the large issues of Philip and Alexander that finally displaced the Kyzikene standard. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. This coin is more than an artifact; it is a memorial an ancient city that managed to maintain a level of autonomy while confronted by some of the largest empires the ancient world had known. - (C.10330)   « Less

Obverse: Forepart of a Pegasus facing left, surrounded by a grapevine. Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square. Mysia was an ancient district in northwest Anatolia (modern  More »

Obverse: Forepart of a Pegasus facing left, surrounded by a grapevine. Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square. Mysia was an ancient district in northwest Anatolia (modern Turkey) adjoining the Sea of Marmara on the north and the Aegean Sea on the west. Mysia designated a geographic rather than a political territory and encompassed Aeolis, Troas, and the region surrounding the great city- state Pergamum. Lampsakos, originally called Pityussa, was a Mysian city located on the southern shore of the Hellespont opposite Kallipolis. It had a good harbor, and was said to have been founded by the Milesians or the Phokaians. During the 6th and 5th c. B.C. it belonged to Lydia, and then to the Persians; it joined the Athenian League, paying 12 talents, and was an object of contention among the Athenians, Spartans and Persians from 411 B.C. until the Hellenistic period. Ultimately, it allied with Rome in 190 B.C. and prospered thereafter. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who might have touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after it leaves our hands. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and location, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of a long forgotten empire. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine- made currencies. This magnificent coin is a memorial to the ancient glories of Lampsakos and greater Mysia passed down from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (LC.157)   « Less

Obverse: Diademed Bust of the King Facing Right. Reverse: Zeus Striding Left, Holding Thunderbolt and Aegis, "N" above Eagle in Inner Left Field Following the death of  More »

Obverse: Diademed Bust of the King Facing Right. Reverse: Zeus Striding Left, Holding Thunderbolt and Aegis, "N" above Eagle in Inner Left Field Following the death of Seleucid king Antiochus II in 246 B.C., rebellions erupted in far-flung territories to the east. Seleucid forces were tied up in their struggles against Ptolemaic Egypt and were thus unable to protect the borders of their kingdom from nomadic barbarian raiders. In the province of Bactria, a historical region situated in present day Afghanistan, the satrap, or governor, Diodotus I rose up against Seleucid authority and achieved independence for his kingdom. Nearby, in modern Iran, another former satrap named Andragoras also gained independence for the territory of Parthia. This independence was short lived, as soon after a tribe from the east, the Parni, under the command of Arsaces I, invaded and conquered the land and established the mighty Parthian Empire, effectively cutting off the Bactrians from direct contact with the Greek world. Although the Parthians and the Bactrians seem to have battled at times, they were allied against Seleucid campaigns launched to punish the rebel kingdoms. It is believed Diodotus died sometime during, or shortly after this campaign, leaving his son Diodotus II to inherit the throne and conclude a peace treaty with the Parthians. How many hands have touched a coin in your pocket or your purse? What eras and lands have the coin traversed on its journey into our possession? As we reach into our pockets to pull out some change, we rarely hesitate to think of who touched the coin before us, or where the coin will venture to after us. More than money, coins are a symbol of the state that struck them, of a specific time and place, whether contemporary currencies or artifacts of long forgotten empires. This stunning hand-struck coin reveals an expertise of craftsmanship and intricate sculptural detail that is often lacking in contemporary machine-made currencies. This coin marks the emergence of the Bactrian Kingdom. As satrap, Diodotus first issued coins in the name of Antiochos II featuring portraits of the Seleucid king. Perhaps symbolizing his increasing independence, Diodotus eventually replaced the image of Antiochos II with his own portrait. Though Antiochos' name was originally retained on coins such as this one, after officially rebelling against Seleucid authority, Diodotus replaced Antiochos' name with his own as well. This gold stater is a memorial to an ancient king and his empire passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation that still appears as vibrant today as the day it was struck. - (C.3023)   « Less