Ancient Coins, Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeandrum (155-145 BC), stater,

Ancient Coins, Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeandrum (155-145 BC), stater, Euphemos, son of Pausanias, magistrate, dr. bust of Artemis r., wearing stephane, and with bow and quiver over shoulder, rev. Nike, holding kentron and reins, driving fast biga to r., MAΓNHTΩN (of the Magnesians) above, EYΦHMOΣ ΠAYΣANIOY below, wt. 8.45gms. (Auctions Roma XVI, 259 (same dies); Heritage 3056, 300661, unpublished in major works), about extremely fine, rare
The discovery of this totally new reverse type for a gold stater on the Attic weight standard of about 8.5gms., signed by a very well known Magnesian magistrate, enables two long-standing numismatic problems to be solved, allowing the dating of the Ephesian gold staters with which it is associated, and confirming the mid-second century dating of the Ionian stephanophoric coinage. Euphemos was one of the eight magistrates who were responsible for the substantial silver stephanophoric 'wreath-bearer' tetradrachm issues. The bust of Artemis seen on the coin is the same style as the Ephesos gold staters which depict on their reverse the Ephesian cult figure of Artemis, 140 BC.

($2500-3500)