Nomos AG
Auction 26 21 May 2023
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CILICIA. Mallos. Circa 385-333 BC. Obol (Silver, 8.5 mm, 0.75 g, 3 h). Head of Zeus Ammon to right. Rev. [Μ - Α] Head of a gorgon facing, with outstretched tongue. Apparently unpublished save for M&M DE 30, 2009, 668 and CNG e234, 2010, 95 (same dies). Very rare. Boldly struck and attractively toned. Slightly rough surfaces, otherwise, about extremely fine.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions.
What is intriguing about the fractions struck in Cilicia from the late 5th century BC on until the conquest by Alexander is the wide variety of types they bear on both obverses and reverses. Many of them refer to gods and goddess popular with the military - Zeus, Ares, Aphrodite, Dionysos -, are apotropaic in some way - gorgoneia or fortifications - or have types directly referring to Persian governmental authorities - the Great King or his satraps.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions.
What is intriguing about the fractions struck in Cilicia from the late 5th century BC on until the conquest by Alexander is the wide variety of types they bear on both obverses and reverses. Many of them refer to gods and goddess popular with the military - Zeus, Ares, Aphrodite, Dionysos -, are apotropaic in some way - gorgoneia or fortifications - or have types directly referring to Persian governmental authorities - the Great King or his satraps.