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                 Web Product ID: 419

                 Price: $1,200.00
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                 Denomination: Didrachm
                 Grade: EF superb
                 Reference: SNG Copenhagen 597; SNG von Aulock 2375




  Caria, Satraps of. Pixodaros. 340-334 BC. AR Didrachm (7.08 gm). Laureate head of
  Apollo, facing slightly right / Zeus Labraundos standing right, holding double axe
  (labrys) and lotus-tipped sceptre. SNG Copenhagen 597; SNG von Aulock 2375; Boston
  MFA 2007; Weber 6608. Superb EF. $1200.



  Caria was a mountainous region of south-west Asia Minor with an indigenous
  population, living principally in hill-top villages, and important Greek foundations
  such as Cnidus and Halicarnassus on the coast. In the 6th century BC the region was
  conquered by King Croesus of Lydia and subsequently passed under Persian control.
  Under the Achaemenids Caria was ruled by a succession of satraps who became
  increasingly independent as the power of the Great King began to wane. The satrap
  Hecatomnus of Mylasa (395-377 BC) was the first of these dynasts to issue a regular
  coinage in his own name. He was succeeded by his eldest son Mausolus (377-353 BC) who
  transferred the capital from Mylasa to Halicarnassus as part of his policy of
  Hellenization. His magnificent tomb, the Mausoleum, was regarded as one of the seven
  wonders of the ancient world. Mausolus also moved the satrapal mint to Halicarnassus
  and all subsequent coins in the series were struck there. This beautiful didrachm was
  issued by the satrap Pixodaros, the youngest of Hecatomnus' sons, who ruled Caria
  almost down to the time of Alexander the Great's capture of Halicarnassus in 333 BC.
  The facing Apollo head is clearly modeled on the Helios head of the coinage of
  Rhodes, the powerful island state off the southern coastline of Caria. Zeus of
  Labranda (also called Labraundos) was a local Carian adaptation of the chief Olympian
  god. His temple lay on a remote hillside about eight miles north of Mylasa and his
  special symbol, the double axe, is his constant attribute.