© Trustees of the British Museum
© Trustees of the British Museum
Stater 400 BC - 386 BC
| Silver | 10.6 g | - |
| Issuer | Tarsos (Cilicia) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 400 BC - 386 BC |
| Value | Silver Stater (3) |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 10.6 g |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-10 |
| Numista | N#361393 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Greek hoplite, naked, kneeling left in defense pose, wearing Corinthian helmet and holding spear and large shield.
Script: Aramaic
Translation: Nergal
Interesting fact
The Tarsos Stater was one of the first coins to feature a portrait of a living person, which was a revolutionary design choice at the time. The coin features a portrait of the Greek goddess Athena on one side and a lion on the other, which symbolized the power and strength of the city of Tarsos. This design choice was a departure from the traditional use of abstract symbols and animals on coins and marked a significant shift in the development of coinage.
