Electrum Stater, Ephesus, 625-600 BCE

Electrum Stater, Ephesus, 625-600 BCE; Reverse: Three rough incuse punches.
Unidentified Artist, Greek

Title/Object Name: Ob: Grazing stag. Inscription 桅螒螡螘螣危 螘螜螠螜 ("PHANEOS EIMI" = "I am of Phanes"). | Re: Three rough incuse punches.

Dates: 625-600 BCE

Medium: Electrum, Stater

Dimensions: Diameter 21.5 x 15 mm, Weight 14.0152 g

Credit Line: On Loan to 麻豆免费版下载Art Museum, courtesy of John Nebel.聽

Notes: The Beginnings of Coinage

This early coin is made of electrum, a gold-silver alloy. It pictures a grazing stag on its obverse, with an inscription (鈥淚 am of Phanes鈥) above it. Since the stag is associated with the goddess Artemis, scholars think this coin was made at the city of Ephesus, the center of her cult. The inscription may suggest it was made by someone named Phanes. If so, this demonstrates that individuals could mint coins in their own names at this time. The reverse of the coin is stamped with three rough incuse punches.聽Studies suggest a 14-g electrum stater like this one was worth about a year鈥檚 salary for an unskilled laborer.

Collection: Coin, John Nebel

Bibliography: Weidaur 39 (var.)