Stater

Historical Context: This silver stater was issued by Mylasa, a significant Carian city, between 520 and 490 BC. This period was marked by Mylasa's strategic position in southwestern Anatolia, navigating the complex political currents between local autonomy and the burgeoning influence of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Following the Ionian Revolt, many cities in the region experienced varying degrees of Persian control. The issuance of its own coinage during this volatile era underscores Mylasa's economic vitality and its assertion of civic identity, demonstrating its role as a regional trade center with the authority to mint currency.

Artistry: The artistry of this stater exemplifies the Archaic Greek style, exhibiting characteristics that prefigure the developing naturalism of the Early Classical period. While the specific engraver remains anonymous, the obverse typically features the powerful forepart of a lion, a prevalent symbol of strength and sovereignty in ancient Anatolian and Greek iconography. This animal is rendered with a stylized, yet robust, musculature and a distinctive mane. The reverse of these early staters commonly displays a simple incuse square, a characteristic feature of early archaic coinage, sometimes containing a geometric pattern or a monogram.

Technical/Grading: Struck on a silver flan, this stater weighs 10.65 grams and measures 20.0 millimeters, adhering to a regional weight standard. Key high-points susceptible to wear or strike weakness include the lion's muzzle, eye, and the individual strands of its mane. Early archaic strikes often exhibit variability in centering and striking pressure, which can result in partial impressions or areas of flatness on either side. Collectors typically prioritize examples with a complete and well-defined rendition of the lion's features and a clear impression of the incuse reverse, indicating a strong strike and minimal circulation wear.