1/3 Stater - Peritas

Rhodes struck gold in this period almost exclusively for large-scale mercantile transactions and military payments — the island's economy ran on silver, and gold fractions like this were exceptional instruments rather than everyday currency. The late 2nd and early 1st centuries BC were turbulent for Rhodian finances: the Roman Senate's decision in 166 BC to declare Delos a free port had already gutted Rhodian harbor revenues by an estimated 85%, forcing the state into fiscal contraction that makes substantial gold issues from this period notably scarce.