St. James's Auctions
Auction 66 22 Sep 2022
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Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeandrum, stater, c.130-120 BC, Euphemos, son of Pausanias, dr. bust of Artemis r., wearing stephane and pendant earring and with her quiver and bow over her shoulder, rev. MAΓNHTΩ[N] - EYΦHMOΣ ΠAYΣANIOY Nike driving fast biga r., holding whip in her r. hand and reins in her l., wt. 8.45gms. (A. Ellis-Evans: The Wreathed Tetradrachms and Gold Staters of Magnesia on the Maeander, in: A. Meadows & U. Wartenberg (eds.): Presbeus. Studies in Ancient Coinage Presented to Richard Ashton, New York 2021, Group A. Leu 1 (2017), 82, Leu Web Auction 8 (2019), 365 and Leu Web Auction 16 (2021), 45-6 (all from the same dies), struck from the usual somewhat worn obverse die and with light marks on the reverse, otherwise, nearly extremely fine
Magnesia ad Maeandrum was the ancient inland city of Ionia, positioned on a small tributary of the Maeander river within modern day Turkey. It is one of the last relatively unknown and unexplored archaeological sites in Turkey. The cult of Artemis was well established in the region, where the earliest temple dedicated to her stood from c. 6th century BC. The temple was rebuilt and treated with the utmost care over the centuries, with Strabo writing that, after the rebuild of 220 BC, the temple 'in size surpassed all sacred enclosures in Asia except two, that at Ephesus and that at Didymi'. The city also hosted the quadrennial festival dedicated to the goddess, and they invited representatives from across the Greek world. One inscription details over 70 Hellenistic cities who travelled to the games. A superb example of the history of the city and the goddess quintessentially captured on a beautiful gold coin.
(2500-2800 GBP)
Magnesia ad Maeandrum was the ancient inland city of Ionia, positioned on a small tributary of the Maeander river within modern day Turkey. It is one of the last relatively unknown and unexplored archaeological sites in Turkey. The cult of Artemis was well established in the region, where the earliest temple dedicated to her stood from c. 6th century BC. The temple was rebuilt and treated with the utmost care over the centuries, with Strabo writing that, after the rebuild of 220 BC, the temple 'in size surpassed all sacred enclosures in Asia except two, that at Ephesus and that at Didymi'. The city also hosted the quadrennial festival dedicated to the goddess, and they invited representatives from across the Greek world. One inscription details over 70 Hellenistic cities who travelled to the games. A superb example of the history of the city and the goddess quintessentially captured on a beautiful gold coin.
(2500-2800 GBP)