Nomos AG
Auction 25 20 Nov 2022
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MYSIA. Kyzikos. Circa 334 BC. Stater (Electrum, 20 mm, 16.02 g). Eleutheria seated to left, on a rock inscribed ΕΛΕΥ/ΘΕΡΙ, her head bent slightly down to left, holding a wreath in her right hand and resting her left on the rock. Rev. Quadripartite incuse square. SNG Paris 345. Traité II, 2, XXXX and pl. CLXXIV, 37. von Fritze 215. Extremely rare. A coin of tremendous historical interest. Nicely toned. Good very fine.
This coin is very probably the most historically important of all the electrum issues of Kyzikos. The reason for this is its unique inscription - the only inscription ever to appear on Kyzikene electrum coin - Eleutheri⟨a⟩ = Freedom, which accompanies a goddess, Eleutheria, the personification of Freedom, holding a laurel wreath of victory. This must mean that freedom was gained through a military triumph, and the only triumphs that would have affected Kyzikos at the time this coin was minted were Philip II's ephemeral invasion of 336 and Alexander's great victory over the Persians at the river Granicus in May 334. Given that of those two victories Alexander's was infinitely more important and influential, it should be obvious that the outcome of Granicus and its effect on Kyzikos is what is referred to on this coin.
This coin is very probably the most historically important of all the electrum issues of Kyzikos. The reason for this is its unique inscription - the only inscription ever to appear on Kyzikene electrum coin - Eleutheri⟨a⟩ = Freedom, which accompanies a goddess, Eleutheria, the personification of Freedom, holding a laurel wreath of victory. This must mean that freedom was gained through a military triumph, and the only triumphs that would have affected Kyzikos at the time this coin was minted were Philip II's ephemeral invasion of 336 and Alexander's great victory over the Persians at the river Granicus in May 334. Given that of those two victories Alexander's was infinitely more important and influential, it should be obvious that the outcome of Granicus and its effect on Kyzikos is what is referred to on this coin.