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Stater
| Issuer | Cyprus (ancient) |
|---|---|
| Year | 460 BC - 430 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | A bull, rendered in fine relief, stands in profile to right upon a clearly defined ground line, its head lowered slightly in a naturalistic posture. A laurel branch with carefully detailed leaves spreads across the upper field above the animal's back. The entire design is framed within a square border composed of a continuous row of pellets, characteristic of Cypriot archaic silver coinage. The field is plain and uninscribed. The execution displays confident, well-proportioned die work consistent with the Idalion or related Cypriot mint tradition of circa 460–430 BC. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
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| Edge | Plain |
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| Additional information |
The city-kingdoms of Cyprus in this period occupied an uncomfortable position between the Achaemenid Persian empire, which nominally controlled the island, and the Athenian-led Delian League actively contesting that control. The so-called Eurymedon campaign of 466 BC and subsequent Athenian interventions meant Cypriot mints were operating under shifting political pressures throughout this window. Which kingdom struck this particular piece remains the central cataloging difficulty — Cyprus had at least nine semi-autonomous mints issuing silver simultaneously, each with distinct weight standards loosely tied to the Phoenician or Persic systems.
SNG France 441 places this within the Paphos attribution. The sanctuary of Aphrodite at Paphos gave its priest-kings unusual monetary authority even under Persian suzerainty.