Asia Minor Coins - Photo Gallery

Ancient Greek and Roman coins from Asia Minor


Most viewed - Cyprus
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Koinon of Cyprus (AD 198-217) AE 32 - Caracalla485 viewsCaracalla, AD 198-217. AE32 (16.15g, 5h). Laureate heroic bust of Caracalla right / Temple of Paphian Aphrodite within which cone, crescent and star on top of temple, roofed wing on each side within which candelabrum stands, dove on roof of each wing, paved semicircular court before temple. aVF. Apparently Unique.

Palea Paphos was one of the most important pilgrimage centres in the Greek world due to its famous Sanctuary of Aphrodite; the goddess herself was born of the sea near Paphos, and floated in on a scallop shell. When she arose, she was hailed as 'Cyprian'. The Sanctuary of Aphrodite continued to flourish well into the Roman era. Several Roman emperors honoured the shrine, and it was visited by Titus in 69 AD when the future emperor was on his way to Egypt. He consulted the oracle of Aphrodite, and was told that he had a great future. The sanctuary was rebuilt by the Romans after the earthquake of 76/77 AD, in a design that preserved the layout of the original. The cult of Aphrodite survived at Palea Paphos until the 4th century AD, when Emperor Theodosius outlawed paganism. Today, virtually nothing remains of the Sanctuary save the holy ground itself.
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Cyprus Uncertain (BC 450) Obol484 viewsca 450 BC. AR Obol (0.76g, 7mm). Owl’s head facing / Owl standing right, ankh symbol in field. Grainy surfaces, reverse die broken at the edge leaving a protrusion on the edge of the reverse. Very rare, possibly unpublished. Good Very Fine.
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Cyprus Uncertain (BC 450) Obol480 views5th century BC. AR Obol (0.62g). Head of owl facing / Head of Bes facing, within incuse square. Very fine. Very rare.
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Salamis (BC 530-515) Stater - Euelthon480 viewsEuelthon, ca 530/15-480. AR Stater (18mm, 11.09g). Ram recumbent left / Blank. VF, lightly toned. Good metal for issue.
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Lapethos (BC 435) Stater474 viewsca 435 BC. AR Stater (10.89g). Helmeted head of Athena left / Head of Athena facing, wearing crested helmet. An apparently unrecorded variety of a very rare type. aVF.
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Salamis (BC 351-332) Didrachm - Pnytagoras 469 viewsPnytagoras, King of Salamis, 351/0-332/1 BC. AR Didrachm (17mm, 6.90g, 12h). Laureate and draped bust of Aphrodite left, ΠΝ to right / Draped bust of Artemis left, bow and quiver over shoulder. Very rare. gVF.
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Paphos (BC 350-332) AE457 viewsca 350-332 BC. AE (4.26g). Head of Aphrodite left, wearing stephane / Rose. Dark green patina, VF.
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Amathos (BC 350) 1/3 Stater - Rhoikos454 viewsRhoikos, King of Amathos, ca 350 BC. AR 1/3 Stater - Tetrobol (2.04g). Head of lion right, within dotted circle / Forepart of lion right, head facing, within circle. VF.
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Amathos (BC 350) 1/3 Stater - Rhoikos452 viewsRhoikos, King of Amathos, ca 350 BC. AR 1/3 Stater - Tetrobol (2.13g). Head of lion right, in dotted circle / Forepart of lion right, head facing. Good VF.
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Amathos (BC 400-350) Stater - Uncertain King438 viewsUncertain King of Amathos, ca 380 BC. AR Stater/Didrachm (20mm, 6.60g, 9h). Lion reclining right, paw raised, eagle flying right above / Forepart of roaring lion right. Toned, VF. Rare.
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Koinon of Cyprus (AD 41-54) AE 35 - Claudius437 viewsClaudius, 41-54 AD. AE35 (26.37g, 12h). Laureate head left / KOIИOИ/ KYΠPI/ωИ in three lines within laurel wreath. VF, some heavy scratches on obverse, strike a bit uneven. Rare.
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Lapethos (BC 500-480) Stater412 viewsca 500-480 BC. AR Stater/Double-siglos (10.78g, 10h). Head of Aphrodite right, wearing hairband and earring / Helmeted head of Athena right. VF.
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Koinon of Cyprus (AD 69-79) AE 26 - Vespasian409 viewsVespasian, 69-79 AD. AE26 (10.54g), dated regnal year 8 (AD 75/6). OYЄCΠACIANOC CЄBACTOC, laureate head right /
KOINON KYΠPIΩN ETOYC H; temple of Aphrodite at Paphos, within which is conical xoanon between stars; candelabrum on each side of building; paved semicircular courtyard in foreground; date in legend.
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Koinon of Cyprus (AD 198-217) AE 32 - Caracalla400 viewsCaracalla, 198-217 AD. AE32 (20.83g, 6h). Laureate head right / Conical cult xoanon of Aphrodite of Paphos within central distyle tower; distyle porticoes flanking, each containing candelabra and with dove above; the entire structure set on low basis; semicircular fencing below. VF, brown and green patina, light adjustment marks on reverse. Ex Seeger Coll.
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Cyprus Uncertain (AD 209-211) AE 27 – Caracalla & Geta396 viewsCaracalla & Geta. 209-211 AD. AE27 (27mm, 11.35g, 6h). M • ANTΩNЄINO C AVΓOVCTOC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Caracalla right / AVTO • KAIC • Π • C-ЄΠTIMIOC ΓЄTAC, laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust of Geta right. Good VF, black patina, minor metal flaw above ear of Caracalla. Rare and quite nice for issue.

The attribution to Cyprus is based on the evidence of provenance. The three examples in the collection of the British Museum were purchased from a dealer who claimed they came from Cyprus. A hoard found on Cyprus (on loan to the British Museum) contained three more examples.
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Kition (BC 425-400) 1/6 Stater394 views5th century BC. AR 1/6 Stater (11mm, 1.7g, 4h). Herakles in fighting stance right, holding club and bow, within dotted border / Lion attacking stag, everything within pellet border incuse. gVF.
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Idalion (BC 480-470) Stater392 viewsKi...(?), ca 480-470 BC. AR Stater – Didrachm (22mm, 10.29g, 12h). Sphinx seated right, raising left foreleg; basi in Cypriot to left, [unclear legend to right] / Lotus flower with two spiral tendrils below; all within peripheral incuse. VF, toned, rough surfaces. Very rare. Ex Triton XV (1/2012), lot 1260; Spink 46 (10/1985), lot 126.
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Paphos (BC 323-305) AE 16 - Ptolemy I391 viewsPtolemy I Soter, as Satrap, 323-305 BC. AE16 - Dichalkon (3.95g, 1h), Paphos mint, struck 310-306 BC. Head of Aphrodite Paphia right, wearing tainia / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt. VF, black patina, minor roughness. Conlin Coll.; ex Classical Numismatic Auctions XX (3/1992), lot 304.
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Paphos (BC 51-30) AE - Cleopatra VII378 viewsCleopatra VII Philopator, 51-30 BC. AE Chalkous - 1/16 Unit (1.01g, 12h), Paphos mint. Diademed idealized head right / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt. VF, dark brown patina.
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Cyprus Uncertain (BC 500) Obol377 viewsca 500 BC. AR Obol (?) (0.52g, 10mm, 12h). Head of roaring lion right / Ankh-like symbol within incuse square. Very rare.
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Kition (BC 400) AE 9372 viewsUncertain king, 4th century BC. AE9 (0.81g, 6h). Herakles advancing right, lion skin draped over arm, holding club overhead and [bow and arrow in extended hand]; ankh to lower left / Facing gorgoneion. VF, green-brown patina.

Although this issue is unpublished, the obverse type, especially paired with the ankh, is canonical for many issues of the kings of Kition from the late 5th century BC.
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Koinon of Cyprus (AD 193-211) AE 31 - Septimius Severus355 viewsSeptimius Severus, 193-211 AD. AE31 (16.67g, 6h). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right / Temple of Aphrodite at Paphos containing conical xoanon; semicircular courtyard around. Good VF, attractive dark green patina, deposits.
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Cyprus Uncertain (AD 69-79) Tetradrachm - Vespasian341 viewsVespasian, 69-79 AD. AR Tetradrachm (25mm, 12.88g, 12h), struck 75-76 AD. AVTOKPATΩP OVЄCΠACIANOC KAICAP, laureate head left / ЄTOVC NЄOV IЄPOV H, Zeus Salaminios standing facing, holding patera in right hand, left hand resting on a short scepter; eagle on left arm, VF. Tricarico coll.
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Paphos (BC 500-480) Diobol335 viewsUncertain king, ca 500-480 BC. AR Diobol (11.5mm, 1.50g). Bull running right; winged solar disk above / Quadripartite incuse square. VF, toned, granular surfaces, area of fill. Extremely rare, unpublished in the standard references.
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Koinon of Cyprus (AD 198-217) AE 31 - Caracalla315 viewsCaracalla, 198-217 AD. AE31 (15.77g, 6h). Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right, seen from behind / Conical cult xoanon of Aphrodite of Paphos within central distyle tower; tristyle porticoes flanking, each with star above; the entire structure set on low basis; semicircular fencing below. Good VF, variegated green patina, light adjustment marks.
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Koinon of Cyprus (AD 193-217) AE 32 - Julia Domna306 viewsJulia Domna, Augusta, 193-217 AD. AE32 (18.44g). Paphos mint. ΙΟΥΛΑ ΔΟ - ΜΝΑ CЄB, draped bust right / KOINON - KYΠΡΙΩΝ, temple of Aphrodite at Paphos with paved semicircular court before; cone in central portion of temple and candelabra in side sections, each with dove on roof; star in crescent above central roof. Very rare. VF.
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Paphos (BC 323-305) AE 12 - Ptolemy I304 viewsPtolemy I Soter, as Satrap, 323-305 BC. AE12 - Chalkous (1.15g, 12h), Paphos mint, struck 310-306 BC. Head of Aphrodite Paphia right, wearing polos / Eagle standing left on thunderbolt; to left, wreath. VF, brown patina, light overall roughness. Extremely rare. Conlin Coll.
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Paphos (BC 27-AD 14) AE 20 - Augustus293 viewsAugustus, 27 BC-14 AD. AE20 (7.67g, 12h). Struck 26 BC. Bare head right / Nike standing left on globe, holding wreath and palm frond. VF, dark green patina, earthen highlights.
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Paphos (BC 450) Obol - Stasandros290 viewsStasandros, 450-400 BC. AR Obol (10mm, 0.57g, 12h). Bull standing left; winged solar disc above / Eagle standing left; Sa Pa (in Cypriot = “Stasandros Basileus”) and small ankh to left, olive spray to right. VF, toned. Exceptional for issue. Very rare.
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Cyprus Uncertain (AD 138-161) AE 33 - Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius273 viewsAntoninus Pius, with Marcus Aurelius as Caesar, 138-161 AD. AE33 (25.77g, 5h). Struck circa 147-161 AD. AV K T AI AΔP AN-TΩNINOC CЄ Є, laureate head of Antoninus Pius right / M AVPHΛIOC KAICAP VIOC CЄ, bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust of Marcus Aurelius right. Good VF, brown patina.
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Cyprus Uncertain (AD 138-161) AE 33 - Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius264 viewsAntoninus Pius, with Marcus Aurelius as Caesar, 138-161 AD. AE33 (25.93g, 6h). Struck circa AD 147-161. Laureate head right / Bareheaded, draped, and cuirassed bust right. VF, brown surfaces, minor roughness. Ex Berk BBS 158 (3/2008), no. 467.
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Kition (BC 392-361) Obol - Melekiathon233 viewsMelekiathon, ca 392/1-362 BC. AR Obol (0.69g, 10mm). Herakles advancing right, holding bow and brandishing club / Lion crouching left, head facing; above, star-in-annulet. aVF. Very rare.
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Cyprus Uncertain (AD 69-79) Didrachm - Titus as Caesar under Vespasian195 viewsTitus, as Caesar under Vespasian, 69-79 AD. AR Didrachm (20mm, 5.67g, 12h), struck 76-77 AD. AVTOKPATΩP TITOC KAICAP, laureate head left / ETOYC NEOY IEPOY Θ, Zeus Salaminios standing facing, holding patera in right hand, left hand resting on a short scepter; eagle on left arm. Rare, nVF. Tricarico coll.
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Paphos (BC 400) Stater - Onasioikos194 viewsOnasiokos, ca 400 BC. AR Stater (21mm, 11.11g, 3h). 'O-na' in Cypriot syllabic script, bull standing left; winged solar disk above; ankh-like symbol to left / Eagle flying left; astragalos to left; all within incuse square. Rare. Struck from a somewhat worn obverse die and with a test cut on reverse, otherwise gVF.
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Kition (BC 479-449) Obol - Baalmelek I187 viewsBaalmelek I, ca 479-449 BC. AR Obol (7mm, 0.80g, 10h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin / Lion standing left. Near EF, toned, some porosity, reverse a little off center. High relief. Very rare.
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Marion (BC 4th cent) 1/3 Stater173 views Stasioikos I and Timocharis, ca early to mid 4th century BC. AR 1/3 Stater (14mm, 3.24g, 11h). 'pa-si-le-o-se sa-ta-si-wo-i-ko' in Cypriot syllabic script, laureate head of Apollo right / 'pa-si-le-o-se ti-mo-xa-pi-wo-se' in Cypriot syllabic script, Aphrodite or Europa hanging beside bull running right, grasping right horn with right hand. Extremely rare and of great historical interest. Struck from slightly worn dies, otherwise VF.
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Kition (BC 479-449) Obol - Baalmelek I172 views5th-early 4th century BC. AR Obol (0.79g, 4h). Head of Herakles right, wearing lion skin headdress / Lion standing left, Y H(?) above. aEF. Apparently the second known example.

The cataloguer of the CNG example noted the similarity in style to Cypriot issues; the presence on this example of a partial legend does not yet help to clarify the identity of the issuer.
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Paphos (BC 450) Obol - Stasandros150 viewsStasandros, mid-late 5th century BC. AR Obol (10mm, 0.60g). Bull standing left; winged solar disc above / Eagle standing left; legend (in Cypriot) and ankh to left, olive branch to right; all within incuse circle. gF.
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Paphos (BC 450) Stater - Stasandros134 views450-400 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 10.96g, 12h). Bull standing left; winged solar disk above; ankh-like symbol to left; in exergue, palmette ornament / 'sa-ta-san-do pa-si' in Cypriot syllabic script, eagle standing left with closed wings; ankh to lower left; all within incuse square. An attractive and very well centered piece. The obverse struck from the usual worn die, otherwise aEF.
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Kition (BC 392-361) AE 14 - Melekiathon134 viewsMelekiathon, ca 392/1-362 BC. AE14 (2.16g). Herakles in fighting stance right, holding bow, club and lion skin / Head of Aphrodite right, wearing stephane. nVF.
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