Roma Numismatics Ltd
E-Sale 81 25 Feb 2021
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Persia, Achaemenid Empire Æ 13mm. Time of Artaxerxes III to Darios III. Uncertain mint (Ephesos?), circa 350-333 BC. Persian king or hero in kneeling-running stance to right, holding spear and drawing bow; BA behind, c/m: eight-rayed star within circular incuse / Incuse punch with pattern depicting 'map of the hinterland of Ephesos (?)'. A. Johnston, 'The earliest preserved Greek map: New Ionian coin type', JHS (1967), 1-4; B; BMC Ionia 7; Traité II 79, pl. LXXXIX, 13; Klein 366. 2.17g, 13mm.
Near Very Fine. Of considerable interest.
Acquired from Papillon Numismatic.
The relief areas of the incuse reverse type found on the reverse of this coin have been interpreted by Johnston (see references) as a relief map depicting the hinterland of Ephesos. If this interpretation is correct, this reverse type remarkably represents the earliest physical relief map known.
The upper part of the incuse reverse depicts the Tmoulus and Messogis ranges divided by the valley of Caÿster. The rivers Hermus and Maeander are visible above and below the two ranges respectively. The lower part shows the two tributaries of the Maeander, the Harpasus and Morsynas, dividing the southern mountain block into three ridges.
Near Very Fine. Of considerable interest.
Acquired from Papillon Numismatic.
The relief areas of the incuse reverse type found on the reverse of this coin have been interpreted by Johnston (see references) as a relief map depicting the hinterland of Ephesos. If this interpretation is correct, this reverse type remarkably represents the earliest physical relief map known.
The upper part of the incuse reverse depicts the Tmoulus and Messogis ranges divided by the valley of Caÿster. The rivers Hermus and Maeander are visible above and below the two ranges respectively. The lower part shows the two tributaries of the Maeander, the Harpasus and Morsynas, dividing the southern mountain block into three ridges.