Stater

Historical Context: This silver stater, issued by the Ionian city of Teos between 540 BC and 478 BC, places it firmly within the dynamic Archaic period of Greek history. Teos, a prominent member of the Ionian League, navigated complex geopolitical currents, including periods of Persian domination and the significant Ionian Revolt. The issuance of such substantial silver coinage reflects Teos's economic vitality, its role in regional trade, and the civic need for a stable currency for expenses, tribute, or mercenary payments during a period of intense political flux in Asia Minor.

Artistry: The obverse design features a powerfully rendered griffin, typically depicted seated with one foreleg raised, a common and distinctive emblem of Teos. While the specific engraver remains anonymous, characteristic of Archaic Greek coinage, the stylistic school is clearly Archaic. The griffin, a mythical creature combining the lion's body and eagle's head and wings, embodies strength and vigilance, often associated with Apollo, a prominent deity in Ionia. The reverse typically presents a simple, unadorned incuse square, a hallmark of early Greek minting techniques.

Technical/Grading: This silver stater, weighing 11.67 grams and measuring 24 millimeters, adheres to the Milesian or Aeginetan weight standard prevalent in Ionia. For optimal grading, key high-points on the obverse griffin include the details of its eye, beak, ear, and the musculature of its chest and raised foreleg, along with the texture of its wings. Technical strike qualities often vary; well-struck examples will exhibit a full, centered impression of the griffin on a relatively round flan, with a clear, though not always perfectly symmetrical, incuse square on the reverse.