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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Greek Coins| ▸ |Geographic - All Periods| ▸ |Anatolia| ▸ |Pamphylia| ▸ |Aspendos||View Options:   | | | Aspendos is about 40 km east of Antalya, Turkey about 16 km inland on the Eurymedon River. In 546 B.C. it fell to Persia. After a Persian defeat in 467, the city joined the Attic-Delos Maritime League. Persia took it again in 411 B.C., Alexander in 333 B.C., and Rome in 190 B.C. Although often subject to powerful empires, the city usually retained substantial autonomy. The astonishing abundance of the silver money of Aspendos is a proof of the commercial importance of the town; and the number of countermarks and barbarous imitations shows that it circulated widely in the region. |
In 467 B.C. the Athenian statesman and military commander Cimon, and his fleet of 200 ships, destroyed the Persian navy based at the mouth of the river Eurymedon in a surprise attack. In order to crush to Persian land forces, he tricked the Persians by sending his best fighters ashore wearing the garments of the hostages he had seized earlier. When they saw these men, the Persians thought that they were compatriots freed by the enemy and arranged festivities in celebration. Taking advantage of this, Cimon landed and annihilated the Persians. Aspendos then became a member of the Attic-Delos Maritime league.GS87795. Silver stater, Apparently unpublished variant; cf. SNG BnF 1; SNGvA 4477; SNG Cop 153; SNG Delepierre 2811; BMC Lycia p. 93, 1, VF, exceptional style, centered, tight flan (typical for the type), light marks, weight 10.609 g, maximum diameter 18.3 mm, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, c. 465 - 430 B.C.; obverse nude warrior advancing right, wearing crested helmet, shield on left arm, spear in right hand; reverse triskeles of human legs counterclockwise, within an incuse square, no ethnic, no control symbol; CNG recently sold an example from the same dies, e-auction 429 (26 Sep 2018), lot 167, for $2500 plus fees; they described their specimen as "Unpublished in the standard references. VF. Exceptionally powerful and artistic warrior for series. Extremely rare."; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, c. 325 - 250 B.C.
Aspendos is about 40 km east of Antalya, Turkey about 16 km inland on the Eurymedon River. In 546 B.C. it fell to Persia. After a Persian defeat in 467, the city joined the Attic-Delos Maritime League. Persia took it again in 411 B.C., Alexander in 333 B.C., and Rome in 190 B.C. Although often subject to powerful empires, the city usually retained substantial autonomy.SH38438. Silver stater, SNG Cop 240 var. (EΣTFEΔIY), aEF, toned, weight 10.419 g, maximum diameter 24.7 mm, die axis 0o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, obverse two wrestlers, the left one holds the wrist of his opponent with his right, E between their legs; reverse EΣTFΔIY (sic), slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right, O between legs, triskeles clockwise over upright club on right; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, 400 - 300 B.C.
Aspendos has the best-preserved theater of antiquity, with seating for 7,000. It was built in 155, during the rule of Marcus Aurelius, by the Greek architect Zenon, a native of the city. The Seljuqs used it as a caravansary and in the 13th century converted the stage building into a palace. Until recently the theater was still used for concerts, festivals and events, but shows are no longer allowed due to damage caused by modern theatrical equipment. A new facility has been constructed nearby to continue the tradition of open air theater in Aspendos.SH21676. Silver stater, SNG Cop 228, SNGvA 4566, gVF, weight 10.942 g, maximum diameter 21.9 mm, die axis 0o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, 370 - 333 B.C.; obverse two wrestlers, the left one holds the wrist of his opponent with his right and right forearm with his left hand, AΦ between their legs; reverse EΣTΦEΔIIYΣ on left upward, slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right, triskeles on right with feet counterclockwise, in square of dots, no trace of incuse; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, 202 - 201 B.C., In the Name of Alexander the Great
After Alexander took Perga peacefully, Aspendos sent envoys to offer surrender if he would not take the taxes and horses formerly paid as tribute to the Persian king. Agreeing, Alexander went on to Side, leaving a garrison behind. When he learned they had failed to ratify the agreement their own envoys had proposed, Alexander marched to the city. The Aspendians retreated to their acropolis and again sent envoys to sue for peace. This time, however, they had to agree to harsh terms - they would host a Macedonian garrison and pay 100 gold talents and 4,000 horses annually.
At the time this coin was struck, Aspendos was nominally under Ptolemaic rule. In 197 B.C., Aspendos accepted Seleukid authority.SH05036. Silver tetradrachm, Price 2891 (same obverse die), SNG Cop 771, Cohen DCA 312, aMS, weight 16.89 g, maximum diameter 31.6 mm, die axis 30o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, 202 - 201 B.C.; obverse head of Herakles right, wearing Nemean Lion skin, scalp over head, forepaws tied at neck; Seleukid countermark: anchor in roughly rectangular punch; reverse Zeus Aëtophoros enthroned left, eagle in right hand, long scepter vertical behind in left hand, AΣ / IA (year 11 Era of Aspendos) left; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, 370 - 333 B.C.
The countermark appears to be a Hoplite advancing right with sword in right and round shield in left, in oval incuse. The hoplite represents the soldiery for which Aspendus was famous. The astonishing abundance of the silver money of Aspendus is a proof of the commercial importance of the town; and the number of countermarks and barbarous imitations shows that it circulated widely in the region.22.6SH95389. Silver stater, Arslan-Lightfoot 39; SNGvA 4561; Tekin Series 4, 11; SNG BnF 84; SNG Cop 231; SNG Berry 1224 (all same obv die), VF, attractive rainbow toning, typical slightly flat strike, weight 10.855 g, maximum diameter 22.6 mm, die axis 0o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, 370 - 333 B.C.; obverse two wrestlers, the left one holds the wrist of his opponent with his right and right forearm with his left hand, AK between their legs; reverse slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right, triskeles on right with feet clockwise, EΣTΦEΔIIYΣ upward on left, countermark lower right: lion head right in a round 3.6mm punch; ex Forum (2011); SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, 333 - 250 B.C.
After Alexander took Perga peacefully, Aspendos sent envoys to offer surrender if he would not take the taxes and horses formerly paid as tribute to the Persian king. Agreeing, Alexander went on to Side, leaving a garrison behind. When he learned they had failed to ratify the agreement their own envoys had proposed, Alexander marched to the city. The Aspendians retreated to their acropolis and again sent envoys to sue for peace. This time, however, they had to agree to harsh terms - they would host a Macedonian garrison and pay 100 gold talents and 4,000 horses annually.
This type is a late example and likely among the last of the wrestler and slinger staters. Struck during economic crisis, perhaps resulting from the harsh terms set by Alexander after their treachery, the flans are underweight, crudely cast and appear to be of debased silver. The wrestlers and slinger are carelessly depicted. It is not as attractive as earlier examples but it is certainly much scarcer.GS95992. Silver stater, Tekin Series 5, SNGvA 4576, SNG BnF 122, SNG Cop 240, Arslan-Lightfoot -, Choice gVF, attractive style, toned, obverse edge beveled, edge cracks, weight 10.440 g, maximum diameter 24.7 mm, die axis 0o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, 333 - 250 B.C.; obverse two wrestlers grappling, nude, wrestler on left holds the right wrist of his opponent with his right hand and right forearm with his left hand, E between their legs, tiny die break on right, beveled edge; reverse slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right, EΣTFEΔIY upward behind, O between legs, clockwise triskeles of human legs above club on right, round border of dots; from the Errett Bishop Collection; scarce; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, 400 - 370 B.C.
Aspendos is about 40 km east of Antalya, Turkey about 16 km inland on the Eurymedon River. In 546 B.C. it fell to Persia. After a Persian defeat in 467, the city joined the Attic-Delos Maritime League. Persia took it again in 411 B.C., Alexander in 333 B.C., and Rome in 190 B.C. Although often subject to powerful empires, the city usually retained substantial autonomy.SH48341. Silver stater, Arslan-Lightfoot 39; SNGvA 4561; Tekin Series 4, 11; SNG BnF 84; SNG Cop 231; SNG Berry 1224 (all same obv die), gVF, flat high points, weight 10.826 g, maximum diameter 23.1 mm, die axis 0o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, 400 - 370 B.C.; obverse two wrestlers, the left one holds the wrist of his opponent with his right and right forearm with his left hand, AK between their legs; reverse EΣTΦEΔIIYΣ on left, slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right, triskeles on right with feet clockwise, no trace of incuse square; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, c. 465 - 420 B.C.
In 467 B.C. the Athenian statesman and military commander Cimon, and his fleet of 200 ships, destroyed the Persian navy based at the mouth of the river Eurymedon in a surprise attack. In order to crush to Persian land forces, he tricked the Persians by sending his best fighters ashore wearing the garments of the hostages he had seized earlier. When they saw these men, the Persians thought that they were compatriots freed by the enemy and arranged festivities in celebration. Taking advantage of this, Cimon landed and annihilated the Persians. Aspendos then became a member of the Attic-Delos Maritime league.SH87202. Silver stater, SNG BnF 13; BMC Lycia p. 94, 9 & pl. XIX, 6; SNGvA 4484 var. (turtle control symbol on obv. and rev.); SNG Cop -, SNG PfPs -, VF, well centered, toned, bumps and marks, obverse struck with a very worn die, edge crack, weight 11.209 g, maximum diameter 21.53 mm, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, c. 465 - 420 B.C.; obverse hoplite advancing right, wearing crested helmet, couched spear in right hand, round shield on left arm; reverse triskeles of human legs left, lion crouching left on far side, EΣT above, all within an incuse square; very rare; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, 415 - 400 B.C.
On later examples the positions become standardized with the wrestler on the left holding the arm of the wrestler on the right.SH65992. Silver stater, Tekin Series 1; SNG BnF 47 (same dies), aVF, struck with a worn obverse die, weight 10.874 g, maximum diameter 27.0 mm, die axis 0o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, 415 - 400 B.C.; obverse two wrestlers with advanced legs crossed; on the left holds opponents left leg with his right hand and his right is on his opponents waist; on the right holds the left shoulder of opponent with his right hand and his left is on his opponent's waist; reverse EΣTCEΔHVΣ, slinger discharging sling to right, left leg forward with knee bent, wearing chiton longer than on later issues, triskeles on right with feet clockwise, all in square border of dots within square incuse; very rare; SOLD
Aspendos, Pamphylia, 380 - 325 B.C.
In 333 B.C., after Alexander took Perga peacefully, Aspendos sent envoys to offer surrender if he would not take the taxes and horses formerly paid as tribute to the Persian king. Agreeing, Alexander went on to Side, leaving a garrison behind. When he learned they had failed to ratify the agreement their own envoys had proposed, Alexander marched to the city. The Aspendians retreated to their acropolis and again sent envoys to sue for peace. This time, however, they had to agree to harsh terms - they would host a Macedonian garrison and pay 100 gold talents and 4,000 horses annually. GS94267. Silver stater, Tekin Series 4; SNG BnF -; SNG Cop -, SNGvA -, SNG Lockett -, BMC Lycia -, VF, nice style, a little off center, light marks, mild die wear, small edge crack, weight 10.747 g, maximum diameter 23.4 mm, die axis 0o, Aspendos (Serik, Turkey) mint, 380 - 325 B.C.; obverse two wrestlers, the left one holds the wrist of his opponent with his right hand and right forearm with his left hand, BI between their legs; reverse EΣTΦEΔIIYΣ upward on left, slinger, wearing short chiton, discharging sling to right, triskeles on right with feet clockwise, in square of dots, no trace of incuse; ex Numismatik Naumann auction 81 (1 Sep 2019), lot 203; missing from published major collections; very rare; SOLD
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