Numismatica Ars Classica
Auction 134 21 Nov 2022
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Greek Coins. Cyprus, Evagoras II, 361 – 351.
Stater circa 361-351, AV 8.17 g. EYA Turreted head of Aphrodite l. Rev. [BA] Lion standing l., devouring prey; eagle on its back; above, star. BMC p. cv, 1 and pl. XXIV, 11. Tziambazis 123. Markou, L'or 368 (these dies). Kraay-Hirmer, pl. 195, 679 (these dies).
Of the highest rarity, only five specimens known of this variety and seven of this type,
of which only four are in private hands. Minor mark on neck,
otherwise virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Evagoras II was probably the grandson of Evagoras I, the great Greek king of Salamis in the early fourth century BC. However, whereas Evagoras I had strongly pursued alliances with Athens as a means of expanding the power of Salamis and maintaining its independence from the Persian Empire, Evagoras II was subservient to the Great King. His pro-Persian policies offended his people's desire for autonomy like other Greek states and in 351 BC he was overthrown in a popular uprising led by his nephew, Pnytagoras. Evagoras II was forced to flee from Cyprus and escaped to the Persian court of Artaxerxes III. The Great King rewarded his former loyalty by making him governor of Sidon in the stead of its rebellious Phoenician governor. Unfortunately, Evagoras II proved to be as obnoxious to the Sidonians as he had been to the Salaminians and in 346 BC, after only three years in power, he was forced to flee from Phoenicia to Cyprus. There was a bitter homecoming awaiting him. Upon his arrival, Evagoras II was arrested and executed on the orders of Pnytagoras. This beautiful gold stater features the head of Aphrodite wearing the turreted crown of a city-goddess. Aphrodite, who was sometimes given the epithet Cypris ("Lady of Cyprus"), was widely worshipped on the island. This was attributed by the Greeks to the mythological tradition that she was born from the sea foam in the waters off its shores. In reality, she was the Greek equivalent to the Semitic goddess Astarte worshipped by the Phoenician population of Cyprus. Interestingly, despite the pro-Persian stance of Evagoras II, his coinage is probably the most Hellenic in style of all the kings of Salamis who preceded him. He was the first to abandon the old Cypriot syllabary in favour of the Greek alphabet for his coin inscriptions.
Stater circa 361-351, AV 8.17 g. EYA Turreted head of Aphrodite l. Rev. [BA] Lion standing l., devouring prey; eagle on its back; above, star. BMC p. cv, 1 and pl. XXIV, 11. Tziambazis 123. Markou, L'or 368 (these dies). Kraay-Hirmer, pl. 195, 679 (these dies).
Of the highest rarity, only five specimens known of this variety and seven of this type,
of which only four are in private hands. Minor mark on neck,
otherwise virtually as struck and almost Fdc
Evagoras II was probably the grandson of Evagoras I, the great Greek king of Salamis in the early fourth century BC. However, whereas Evagoras I had strongly pursued alliances with Athens as a means of expanding the power of Salamis and maintaining its independence from the Persian Empire, Evagoras II was subservient to the Great King. His pro-Persian policies offended his people's desire for autonomy like other Greek states and in 351 BC he was overthrown in a popular uprising led by his nephew, Pnytagoras. Evagoras II was forced to flee from Cyprus and escaped to the Persian court of Artaxerxes III. The Great King rewarded his former loyalty by making him governor of Sidon in the stead of its rebellious Phoenician governor. Unfortunately, Evagoras II proved to be as obnoxious to the Sidonians as he had been to the Salaminians and in 346 BC, after only three years in power, he was forced to flee from Phoenicia to Cyprus. There was a bitter homecoming awaiting him. Upon his arrival, Evagoras II was arrested and executed on the orders of Pnytagoras. This beautiful gold stater features the head of Aphrodite wearing the turreted crown of a city-goddess. Aphrodite, who was sometimes given the epithet Cypris ("Lady of Cyprus"), was widely worshipped on the island. This was attributed by the Greeks to the mythological tradition that she was born from the sea foam in the waters off its shores. In reality, she was the Greek equivalent to the Semitic goddess Astarte worshipped by the Phoenician population of Cyprus. Interestingly, despite the pro-Persian stance of Evagoras II, his coinage is probably the most Hellenic in style of all the kings of Salamis who preceded him. He was the first to abandon the old Cypriot syllabary in favour of the Greek alphabet for his coin inscriptions.