Nomos AG
obolos 19 8 May 2021
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PAMPHYLIA. Aspendos. Circa 380/75-330/25 BC. Stater (Silver, 22.5 mm, 10.89 g, 12 h). Two wrestlers beginning to grapple with each other; between them, A. Rev. ΕΣΤFΕΔΙΙΥΣ Slinger striding right, preparing to launch sling-bolt; to right, triskeles to left. SNG BN -. Cf. Traité II, 2, 1574 (A not listed). Varsak-Düden -. Well struck and attractive. Edge scuff at 5h, otherwise, good very fine.
It is remarkable how poorly struck so many staters of Aspendos are. Die wear, off-centering, countermarks, and poor engraving are all factors that mar most existing coins. Thus, coins like the present one are really quite uncommon. The wrestlers refer to the local games; the slinger would remind the user that the Pamphylians were famous as slingers and were employed as mercenaries in many ancient armies.
It is remarkable how poorly struck so many staters of Aspendos are. Die wear, off-centering, countermarks, and poor engraving are all factors that mar most existing coins. Thus, coins like the present one are really quite uncommon. The wrestlers refer to the local games; the slinger would remind the user that the Pamphylians were famous as slingers and were employed as mercenaries in many ancient armies.