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  More »

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 and fractional denominations 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.7494)   « Less

Little is known about the history of the ancient Pisidian city of Selge. According to Strabo, the city was founded during the 2nd millennium B.C. by Calchas, a mythical  More »

Little is known about the history of the ancient Pisidian city of Selge. According to Strabo, the city was founded during the 2nd millennium B.C. by Calchas, a mythical soothsayer who appeared in stories of the Trojan War. Various waves of colonists thereafter settled in Selge, including the Spartans and the Rhodians. Protected by cliffs and valleys, Selge was built on three hills and fortified by a city wall, which had several entrance gates and defense towers. Strabo mentioned the natural beauty of the city, with its large fruit gardens, fertile valleys and forests. The city’s wealth came from the production of olives, herbal medications, and wine. The Pisidian city of Termessos was a bitter rival of Selge, and after Termessos allied themselves with Alexander the Great, Selge was besieged by Alexader’s army during his fabled conquests. However, through much of its history, Selge managed to maintain its independence, most notably throughout the duration of the Roman Empire and into the Byzantine era. Selge was the first Psidian city to mint coins in this region, dating to the 5th century B.C. during the Persian rule of Asia Minor. They continued to mint their own coins until 3rd century A.D., which provides evidence of both their independence and economic might. 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 passed down from the hands of one generation to another, from one civilization to another. - (C.7496)   « Less

Attalos I Soter, King of the Attalid Dynasty, founded by Philetairos, came to power in 241 B.C. and ruled the city/state of Pergamon until 197. He quickly led his troops to  More »

Attalos I Soter, King of the Attalid Dynasty, founded by Philetairos, came to power in 241 B.C. and ruled the city/state of Pergamon until 197. He quickly led his troops to victory against the rival Gallic forces that inhabited the regions outside of Pergamon. After subdoing this threat, he turned his attention to the lands of the Seleucid Kingdom. After defeating his enemies to the east, with the assistance of his allies Rome, and expanding the territory of his kingdom, Attalos sought to solidify his rightful rule through the use of propagandistic art, much like Alexander the Great had done a century before. Victory monuments decorated the city of Pergamon as well as the major cities in the newly conquered territories. As well, monuments were erected in cities throughout the Mediterranean world, such as Delphi and Athens, solidifying his place as a triumphant king in the eyes of his citizens and across the Hellenic world. These monuments were unique in the way they depicted in the fallen enemy, dying in agony, alone. Nowhere were the forces of Attalos depicted. Up to this point, traditional victory monuments had represented the victorious force overcoming the weaker opposition. Instead, the Attalid monuments treated the dying enemy with dignity and respect while simultaneous forcing the viewers to put themselves in the shoes of the victorious army. Thus, all his subjects became victors and Attalos’ conquest were not just for his own glory, but for all of Pergamon, a city/state that under his authority would become one of the great centers of the Hellenic age. 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 passed down from the hands of one generation to another, from one civilization to another. - (C.7497)   « Less

Obverse: head of nymph Larissa three quarters facing to left. Reverse: horse grazing right - (C.7562).

Obverse: head of nymph Larissa three quarters facing to left. Reverse: horse grazing right - (C.7562).   « Less

Obverse: head of nymph Larissa three quarters facing to left. Reverse: horse grazing right - (C.7563)

Obverse: head of nymph Larissa three quarters facing to left. Reverse: horse grazing right - (C.7563)   « Less

Cappadocian Silver Drachm of King Ariarathes IV - C.0742 Origin: Cappadocia, Asia Minor Circa: 220 BC to 163 BC Collection: Numismatics Style: Cappadocian Medium: Silver

Cappadocian Silver Drachm of King Ariarathes IV - C.0742 Origin: Cappadocia, Asia Minor Circa: 220 BC to 163 BC Collection: Numismatics Style: Cappadocian Medium: Silver   « Less

Obverse: Diademed Bust of the King Facing Right. Reverse: Athena Standing Left, Holding Nike in her Right Hand, Spear and Shield in Left, Surrounded by Text, "BASILEWS  More »

Obverse: Diademed Bust of the King Facing Right. Reverse: Athena Standing Left, Holding Nike in her Right Hand, Spear and Shield in Left, Surrounded by Text, "BASILEWS ARIARAQOU EUSEBOUS," Monogram, "GL," Below - (C.0745)   « Less

Obverse: Nude youth, holding whip, dismounting from horse rearing right. Reverse: Goat kneeling right with head reverted. - (C.7660)

Obverse: Nude youth, holding whip, dismounting from horse rearing right. Reverse: Goat kneeling right with head reverted. - (C.7660)   « Less

Now situated in the nation of Albania, the ancient city of Apollonia was founded by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corfu around 588 B.C. The Greek settlers lived alongside  More »

Now situated in the nation of Albania, the ancient city of Apollonia was founded by Greek colonists from Corinth and Corfu around 588 B.C. The Greek settlers lived alongside a native Illyrian tribe known as the Taulantii; however, the Greek colonists and their descendents effectively dominated the city and the natives were by and large relegated to serfdom. Apollonia prospered thanks to its large natural harbor. Commerce consisted mainly of local agricultural goods and slave trading. The city also benefited as one of the western termini of the Via Egnatia, the road that connected the Adriatic ports with Thessalonica and Byzantium in the east. As an important commercial center, the city minted its own coins that were traded far beyond its domain. Apollonia was absorbed by the burgeoning Roman Republic in 229 B.C. and the city continued to prosper under Roman rule. However, Apollonia’s fortunes would forever change in the 3rd century A.D. when a major earthquake altered the path of the Vjosa River, causing the harbor to silt up. Even worse, the inland areas were transformed into a malaria- ridden swamp, effectively rendering the city uninhabitable. During the Roman Republic, moneyers were in charge of minting coinage. Controlling what legends were branded on the coins, some moneyers used this position to promote themselves and their political ambitions. 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 an ancient city passed from the hands of civilization to civilization, from generation to generation. - (C.7697)   « Less

Obverse: Aphrodite Seated to the Left, Eros Standing Behind Her. Reverse: Dionysus Standing to the Left, Holding a Bunch of Grapes - (C.10370)

Obverse: Aphrodite Seated to the Left, Eros Standing Behind Her. Reverse: Dionysus Standing to the Left, Holding a Bunch of Grapes - (C.10370)   « Less