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THE FACING HEAD COINS OF: TARSUS |
Tarsus was used as a mint by several Persian satraps during the fourth century. Of their two most common facing head types, one features a female bust in the obverse, and a helmeted and bearded male (Ares?) in the reverse. Although not necessarily sophisticated artistically, these facing heads have a certain intensity and power, perhaps expressing the stern character of some oriental goddess. The second type shows the draped bust of Athena Parthenos, wearing a triple-crested helmet and necklace in the obverse, and Baaltars seated left, holding a lotus-tipped sceptre in the reverse. The images of Athena are curious in that the fields are filled by five or six long locks of hair flying out horizontally. This is not a normal motif of the goddess’ iconography and may represent an example of the horror vacui that also finds expression in the various symbols and letters that surround Baaltars on the reverse. Examples of both styles are presented below.
The dating follows SNG Paris: Cilicie.
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Datames, 378-372 BC. AR Stater. Classical Numismatic Group, Mail Bid Sale 66, 19 May 2004, Lot number: 606. Ex von Aulock Collection, 5939. |
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Datames, 378-372 BC. AR Stater. Classical Numismatic Group, Mail Bid Sale 64, 24 September 2003, Lot number: 334. Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Mail Bid Sale 58, 19 September 2001, Lot number: 677. |
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Datames, 378-372 BC. AR Stater. Classical Numismatic Group, Mail Bid Sale 64, 24 September 2003, Lot number: 335.Ex von Aulock Collection, 5937. |
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Datames, 378-372 BC. AR Stater. Classical Numismatic Group, Triton VI, 14 January 2003, Lot number: 438. |
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Pharnabazus, ca. 380–375 BC. AR Stater. Classical Numismatic Group, Triton V, 15 January 2002, Lot number: 1473. From the Robert Schonwalter Collection. Ex von Aulock Collection, 5925. |
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Pharnabazus, ca. 380–375 BC. AR Stater. Classical Numismatic Group, Mail Bid Sale 58, 19 September 2001, Lot number: 675. |
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Pharnabazus, c. 380–375 BC. AR Stater. Fritz Rudolf Künker Münzenhandlung, Auction 100, 21 June 2005, Lot number: 29. Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 81, 16 May 2001, Lot number: 317. |
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Pharnabazus, ca. 380–375 BC. AR Stater. Dr. Busso Peus Nachfolger, Auction 384, 2 November 2005, Lot number: 326. |
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Pharnabazus, ca. 380–375 BC. AR Stater. The New York Sale XI, 11 January 2006, Lot number: 159. |
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Balacrus, 333–323. AR Stater. Gemini, LLC, Auction II, 11 January 2006, Lot number: 128. |
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Balacrus, 333-323 BC. AR Stater. Classical Numismatic Group, Mail Bid Sale 66, 19 May 2004, Lot number: 562. |
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Balacrus, 333–323 BC. AR Stater. Classical Numismatic Group, Mail Bid Sale 61, 25 September 2002, Lot number: 783. |
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Balacrus, 333–323 BC. AR Stater. Leu Numismatik AG, Auction 83, 6 May 2002, Lot number: 369. |
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