Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 126 17 Nov 2021
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Caria, Halicarnassus
Tetradrachm circa 375, AR 13.98 g. Laureate head of Apollo facing slightly to r. Rev. AΛIKAPNAΣΣ – [EΩ]N Eagle standing r. with open wings; in r. field, bow. All within shallow incuse square. Hurter, 42 Tetradrachmen von Klazomenai, SNR 45, 1966, p. 45, pl. VI, F (this coin illustrated). Lorber, Amphipolis, pl. IV, 21 (this coin illustrated).
Of the highest rarity, only three specimens known of which this is the only one with an old
pedigree. A very impressive portrait of fine Classical style struck in high relief and
a lovely old cabinet tone. Surface somewhat porous, otherwise good very fine
Ex Leu 20, 1978, 131; Sotheby's 4 December 1990, Hunt, 37 and New York XXVII, 2012, Prospero, 533 sales.
Although the city of Halicarnassus in coastal Caria was originally founded by Dorian Greek colonists, by the early fifth century BC it was dominated by native Carian dynasts serving as nominal satraps of the Persian Empire. Famous among these were Artemisia I, who had been a naval commander for the Persian fleet at the battle of Salamis in 480 BC, and Lygdamis II, who in 461 BC had murdered the uncle of Herodotus of Halicarnassus and set the latter on his travels that ultimately resulted in the Histories. Probably most famous among the Carian rulers of Halicarnassus, however, must be Mausolus (377-353 BC) who established the city as the dynastic capital (this had been formerly located at Mylasa). From this new capital, Mausolus expanded the territory under his authority to include parts of Lycia, Ionia, and the islands off Caria. He even supported the Rhodians in the Social War against the second Athenian naval league. The most notable aspect of the rule of Mausolus at Halicarnassus was the monumental tomb that he began to build for himself in its environs. This tomb, known as the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, was of such great size and was so lavishly decorated with sculpture that it earned a place as one of the Seven Wonders of the World in the Hellenistic period. Indeed, many of the sculptors who came from all parts of the Greek world to work on its decoration are said to have worked merely for the renown of being involved with such an impressive monument. This unique coin reflects the great influence that Hellenic culture had on Mausolus. Although it was struck while he ruled from the city as dynast of Caria and while he is known to have produced his own coinage, this tetradrachm is purely civic in character, indicating that the city's traditional constitution still remained in place. The facing head of Apollo on the obverse is influenced by that of Helios on contemporary Rhodian issues and may have been intended to represent Apollo Triopios, an important god for the Dorian Greeks of Caria and the nearby islands. According to Herodotus, the cities of the Dorian Hexapolis, which included Halicarnassus, Lindos, Ialysos, Kamiros, Kos, and Knidos, held regular games in honour of the god. The victors were awarded tripods which they were then supposed to dedicate at the temple of Apollo Tripoios. The Halicarnassians were later banned from making use of the temple after one of their athletes, a certain Agasicles, ignored this custom and took his tripod home.
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Tetradrachm circa 375, AR 13.98 g. Laureate head of Apollo facing slightly to r. Rev. AΛIKAPNAΣΣ – [EΩ]N Eagle standing r. with open wings; in r. field, bow. All within shallow incuse square. Hurter, 42 Tetradrachmen von Klazomenai, SNR 45, 1966, p. 45, pl. VI, F (this coin illustrated). Lorber, Amphipolis, pl. IV, 21 (this coin illustrated).
Of the highest rarity, only three specimens known of which this is the only one with an old
pedigree. A very impressive portrait of fine Classical style struck in high relief and
a lovely old cabinet tone. Surface somewhat porous, otherwise good very fine
Ex Leu 20, 1978, 131; Sotheby's 4 December 1990, Hunt, 37 and New York XXVII, 2012, Prospero, 533 sales.
Although the city of Halicarnassus in coastal Caria was originally founded by Dorian Greek colonists, by the early fifth century BC it was dominated by native Carian dynasts serving as nominal satraps of the Persian Empire. Famous among these were Artemisia I, who had been a naval commander for the Persian fleet at the battle of Salamis in 480 BC, and Lygdamis II, who in 461 BC had murdered the uncle of Herodotus of Halicarnassus and set the latter on his travels that ultimately resulted in the Histories. Probably most famous among the Carian rulers of Halicarnassus, however, must be Mausolus (377-353 BC) who established the city as the dynastic capital (this had been formerly located at Mylasa). From this new capital, Mausolus expanded the territory under his authority to include parts of Lycia, Ionia, and the islands off Caria. He even supported the Rhodians in the Social War against the second Athenian naval league. The most notable aspect of the rule of Mausolus at Halicarnassus was the monumental tomb that he began to build for himself in its environs. This tomb, known as the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, was of such great size and was so lavishly decorated with sculpture that it earned a place as one of the Seven Wonders of the World in the Hellenistic period. Indeed, many of the sculptors who came from all parts of the Greek world to work on its decoration are said to have worked merely for the renown of being involved with such an impressive monument. This unique coin reflects the great influence that Hellenic culture had on Mausolus. Although it was struck while he ruled from the city as dynast of Caria and while he is known to have produced his own coinage, this tetradrachm is purely civic in character, indicating that the city's traditional constitution still remained in place. The facing head of Apollo on the obverse is influenced by that of Helios on contemporary Rhodian issues and may have been intended to represent Apollo Triopios, an important god for the Dorian Greeks of Caria and the nearby islands. According to Herodotus, the cities of the Dorian Hexapolis, which included Halicarnassus, Lindos, Ialysos, Kamiros, Kos, and Knidos, held regular games in honour of the god. The victors were awarded tripods which they were then supposed to dedicate at the temple of Apollo Tripoios. The Halicarnassians were later banned from making use of the temple after one of their athletes, a certain Agasicles, ignored this custom and took his tripod home.
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