674. Tarsos.  Circa 425-400 BC. AR Stater (10.51 gm). Melqarth riding right
on  hippocamp above waves  / Crowned  Persian king standing  right, holding
spear and wearing quiver  containing bow on his back; grain ear before. SNG
France  199. VF,  porous.  Extremely rare,  possibly only  the  third known
example! ($500)

According to Colin Kraay’s article "The Celenderis Hoard" (NumChron [1962],
pp. 1-15), this coin is one of the earliest issues of Tarsos. Its military
design implies that it was intended to pay Persian troops, perhaps those of
the Phoenician fleet mobilized by Tissaphernes in 411-410 BC. The grain
ear, very prominent on this coin as well as contemporary issues (and later
satrapal issues showing a Greek hoplite), may represent the military
payroll in the form of rations.

Neither of the other two coins shows the top of the man’s head clearly, so
Kraay referred to the man as a Persian soldier. SNG France calls the man
the Persian King, even though his crown is not visible on that example.
That the Persian king, armed, is depicted instead of one of his soldiers
would not change Kraay’s interpretation of the design.


CNG Mail bid sale #58, 18 Sept 2001, lot 674.
 
 Lot sold for $575.


Used by permission of CNG, www.historicalcoins.com