Uncertain coinage of Aphrodisias Staters Obols

Uncertain coinage of Aphrodisias

It is not clear whether any coins minted in the pre-Hellenistic period can be attributed to Aphrodisias. The staters with Aphrodite seated on a throne flanked by two sphinxes on the obverse and Athena on the reverse (Type 1) could perhaps come from this city, but this attribution is not unanimously accepted. Sometimes these coins are attributed to Nagidos because of their similarity to the staters minted under the satrap Pharnabazus (see Nagidos, Type 2.1). Against this, however, is the fact that all Nagidos staters and third staters bear some form of the city ethnic. Casabonne 2004, p.118, does not rule out Aphrodisias and, based on a typological comparison with the coinage of Holmoi and Pharnabazus, suggests a mintage period of c. 380–375 BC.

Also tentatively attributed to the city of Aphrodisias on this page are obols with a similar design on the obverse and the head of Hermes on the reverse (Type 2). These obols share with the staters not only the obverse design but also the line border on the reverse. Let us note, however, that hemiobols apparently not from Aphrodisias are also known, on which instead of Aphrodite, a male figure holding phiale and scepter sits on a throne decorated with sphinxes (the reverse shows the helmeted head of Athena to right).1 The theme of a deity sitting on a throne decorated with sphinxes was therefore used by several mints.

It cannot be ruled out that Aphrodisias also minted some other silver fractions. For example coins with a seated crowned winged sphinx looking left or right.2 These coins are sometimes attributed to Mallos, but on indisputably Mallos coins the sphinx is facing.3

 

Staters

 

 

Obols