Nomos AG
Auction 26 21 May 2023
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CILICIA. Myriandros. Circa 340/339-338 BC. Obol (Silver, 10.5 mm, 0.72 g, 8 h). Persian King, bearded, wearing the Double Crown of Egypt, and holding a lotus-tipped sceptre in his left hand and a lotus in his right, seated to right on a low-backed throne. Rev. Youthful male head to left, wearing the Double Crown of Egypt and a circular earring. Göktürk 35. SNG Paris 429. Very fine.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions and the collections of L. Mildenberg and H.S. von Aulock (not in the sylloge).
Having conquered Egypt in 525 BC, the Persian kings then became the Egyptian 27th Dynasty, which lasted until the Egyptians revolted in 404 BC and became independent under its native 28th, 29th and 30th Dynasties. Artaxerxes III Ochus (359/8-338 BC) first attempted to reconquer Egypt in 351, but he was defeated by Nectanebo II who had the help of a powerful force of Greek mercenaries (the famous "nub nefer" gold pieces were used by the Egyptians to pay those troops). In 340 Artaxerxes tried again, but this time he succeeded. This coin commemorates the victory: the enthroned, and bearded, king on the obverse, wearing the Egyptian royal crown, is surely Artaxerxes III, while the beardless young man on the reverse, also wearing the Egyptian royal headdress, must be the king's heir, Arses (also known as Artaxerxes IV, 338-336 BC). In the event, both Artaxerxes III and his son Arses were poisoned by the powerful eunuch Bagoas, who arranged the accession of Darius III.
From the "Collection sans Pareille" of Ancient Greek Fractions and the collections of L. Mildenberg and H.S. von Aulock (not in the sylloge).
Having conquered Egypt in 525 BC, the Persian kings then became the Egyptian 27th Dynasty, which lasted until the Egyptians revolted in 404 BC and became independent under its native 28th, 29th and 30th Dynasties. Artaxerxes III Ochus (359/8-338 BC) first attempted to reconquer Egypt in 351, but he was defeated by Nectanebo II who had the help of a powerful force of Greek mercenaries (the famous "nub nefer" gold pieces were used by the Egyptians to pay those troops). In 340 Artaxerxes tried again, but this time he succeeded. This coin commemorates the victory: the enthroned, and bearded, king on the obverse, wearing the Egyptian royal crown, is surely Artaxerxes III, while the beardless young man on the reverse, also wearing the Egyptian royal headdress, must be the king's heir, Arses (also known as Artaxerxes IV, 338-336 BC). In the event, both Artaxerxes III and his son Arses were poisoned by the powerful eunuch Bagoas, who arranged the accession of Darius III.