1/3 Stater - Menelaos

İhraççı Salamis of Cyprus
Yıl 312 BC - 306 BC
Tür Standard circulation coin
Değer ⅓ Gold Stater (20⁄3)
Para birimi Drachm
Bileşim Gold
Ağırlık 2.75 g
Çap
Kalınlık
Şekil Round (irregular)
Teknik Hammered
Yönlendirme Variable alignment ↺
Gravürcü(ler)
Dolaşımda olduğu yıl
Referans(lar) GCV#5824, Tziambazis#140, BMC Greek#p.cxiii 76, SvoronosPt#73
Ön yüz açıklaması Head of Aphrodite facing left and wearing a turreted crown. Inscription in Greek on the right field.
Ön yüz yazısı Greek
Ön yüz lejandı MEN
(Translation: Menelaos)
Arka yüz açıklaması Crowned male bust facing left. Inscription in Cypriot syllabic on the right field. The syllable is for (pa-) for king, which is the first syllable in pa-si-le-wo-se, king in Cypriot-syllabic.
Arka yüz yazısı Cypriot
Arka yüz lejandı ###to_edit###
(Translation: King)
Kenar
Darphane
Basma adedi ND (312 BC - 306 BC) - -
Numisquare Kimliği 6271180310
Ek bilgiler

Historical Context: Menelaos, brother of Ptolemy I Soter, governed Salamis of Cyprus from 312 to 306 BC. This period was tumultuous, marked by the Wars of the Diadochi following Alexander the Great’s death, with Cyprus a vital strategic possession. As Ptolemy’s strategos, Menelaos issued coinage asserting Ptolemaic authority on the island. This gold 1/3 stater represents a brief era of Ptolemaic control before the decisive naval Battle of Salamis in 306 BC, which temporarily ousted Ptolemy from Cyprus, making these issues historically significant.

Artistry: The anonymous engraver of this 1/3 stater worked within the emerging Early Hellenistic stylistic school, heavily influenced by Alexandrian (Ptolemaic) iconography. The obverse typically features a finely rendered head of a deity, often Aphrodite or Zeus, embodying the classical ideal while anticipating Hellenistic realism. The reverse design commonly depicts an eagle standing on a thunderbolt, a potent symbol of Ptolemaic power, accompanied by the inscription "MENELAOU," clearly identifying the issuer and minting authority.

Technical/Grading: Struck in gold (2.75 gg), these 1/3 staters exhibit the high technical standards expected of major Hellenistic mints. Key high-points for preservation and grading include the intricate details of the deity's hair, facial features, and any diadem on the obverse. On the reverse, the eagle's plumage, breast, and the specific details of the thunderbolt are critical. A well-struck example will show excellent centering, full relief on all design elements, and a clean, round flan, indicative of careful production and the intrinsic quality of the precious metal.

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