Hemistater - Diognetos

Rhodian gold coinage of this period is exceptionally rare — the island's economy ran overwhelmingly on silver, and gold issues were struck in limited quantities, likely for specific diplomatic or mercantile purposes rather than general circulation. Rhodes remained a significant commercial and naval power through most of this period, though Roman intervention following the Third Macedonian War in 168 BC had already stripped the island of its Lycian and Carian territories, sharply curtailing its revenues. The magistrate name Diognetos places this among the civic issues where a named official bore responsibility for the issue.