Tetradrachm of Kydonia



Tetradrachm of Kydonia

ΣΓ521
Metal (Silver)
Intact, slightly worn surfaces
Diameter: 2.9 cm. Weight: 13.95 gr.
Crete
Hellenistic period:
125-100 BC:
Gallery:
XXIII
Case:
231
Exhibition thematic unit:
Private Collections
Ch. Giamalakis Collection
Description
Attic-weight wreathed tetradrachm of Kydonia. The obverse displays a head of Artemis right with bow and quiver on shoulder, the upper ends just visible. In the field is an inscription with the name P-A-S-I-O-N, probably that of the engraver. On the reverse, surrounded by a wreath, is a standing frontal Artemis/Dictynna, head left, raising a lighted torch. At her feet is a seated hound, appearing to sniff her hand. The inscription of the issuing city is KY-DO-NIA-TA-N. The wide dissemination in Greece of the “wreathed” tetradrachms of Athens led to the imitation by many city-states not only of the Attic standard, not used until then in Crete and elsewhere, but also of the striking of coins on a wide disc, with the image on the reverse surrounded by a wreath.
Bibliography:
For the issue J.-Ν. Svoronos, Numismatique de la Crète ancienne, Macon 1890, p. 107, 59, π. Χ,1. Cf. Le Rider, Monnaies crétoises du Ve au Ier siècle av. J.-C., Paris 1966, p. 230, n. 5.
Author:
K. S.


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