Obol

Historical Context: This silver obol, struck between 400 BC and 300 BC, originates from an uncertain Cilician city. During this Late Classical to Early Hellenistic period, Cilicia, a vital satrapy of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, saw its coastal cities issue autonomous coinage. These small fractions were crucial for daily commerce, facilitating local trade and interaction with Greek merchants. Uncertain attribution highlights challenges in localizing issues from this prolific region, often due to lacking explicit legends or unique symbols.

Artistry: While specific iconographic details are unprovided, Cilician obols of this era typically display strong Greek artistic influence. The obverse commonly features a deity head, such as Athena or Apollo, rendered with classical features and detailed hair or headdress. The reverse often presents a local symbol or animal, like a lion or club, reflecting civic identity or cults. Anonymous engravers worked within prevailing conventions, prioritizing clarity and recognizability on the small flan.

Technical/Grading: Weighing 0.76 grams and measuring 10.7 millimeters, this obol is a typical fractional silver issue. Its diminutive size and ancient production methods often result in slight off-centering or incomplete strikes, particularly at the flan edges. High-points, such as a deity's hair or helmet, or an animal's musculature, are key for assessing wear. Strike integrity, including die wear or flan flaws, and silver quality, contribute to its numismatic evaluation, referenced by SNG France#474, SNG Levante#230, and Sunrise#109.