Lot 1117
Cilicia, Nagidos. Silver Stater (10.10 g), ca. 360-333 BC. Aphrodite seated left, holding patera and resting elbow on back of chair; to left, Nike flying right, crowning her with wreath; below seat, mouse left. Rev. NAΓIΔIKON, Dionysos standing facing, head left, holding grape bunch and thyrsos; in upper left field, monogram; in lower left field, AK; c/m: bill walking with within incuse square. (cf. Lederer 47 (same obv. die); sf. SNG BN 28-41 (diff. controls)). Ancient countermark and ancient test cut. A fantastic example of an ancient trade coin of the realm. Extremely fine. Estimate $1,250UP
Ex NFA MBS (18 October 1990), lot 370.
Ex NFA MBS (15 January 1982), lot 245.
Little is known about the Cilician city of Nagidos beyond that it was considered a Samian foundation, had an eponymous hero named Nagis, and was incorporated into the Achaemenid Persian Empire perhaps as early as 545 BC. In the Classical period the city and the rest of Cilicia was governed by Persian satraps. The coinage of Nagidos and other Cilician cities of the period is notable for the frequent use of full figure designs on both sides of the coin. Here Aphrodite is depicted on the obverse, which has been taken as an indication that the city had an important temple dedicated to the Greek goddess of love, but it is just as possible that this type refers to the cult of the Persian deity, Anahita, which was often brought to Asia Minor by Persian officials and who was frequently identified with Aphrodite by the Greeks.
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| Realized $1,298 |
