Stater

Historical Context: This silver stater originates from Phaselis, an ancient Lycian city situated on the coast of Pamphylia, which issued its distinctive coinage from the late 5th to the mid-4th century BCE. As a significant port and member of the Delian League, Phaselis thrived on maritime trade, and its coinage played a crucial role in facilitating commerce across the Mediterranean. The absence of a specific ruler on these issues underscores the city's civic autonomy and its status as a self-governing polis, typical of many independent Greek city-states during the Classical period.

Artistry: The numismatic artistry of Phaselis staters is characterized by its powerful maritime iconography. The obverse typically features a highly stylized trireme prow, often adorned with an aphlaston, symbolizing the city's naval strength and mercantile identity. The reverse commonly displays the stern of a trireme or an anepigraphic square incuse. While no specific engraver is attributed, the stylistic school aligns with early Classical Greek numismatic art, emphasizing clear, robust depictions that convey strength and purpose rather than intricate detail, reflecting a functional yet aesthetically compelling design.

Technical/Grading: This silver stater, weighing 10.36 grams and measuring 21.3 mm, adheres to the Attic weight standard, which was widely accepted for international trade. Key high-points for grading include the clarity of the trireme's ram and mast on the obverse, and the definition of the stern's rudder and deck structures on the reverse. Technical strike qualities are assessed by the centering of the design on the flan, the completeness of the strike, and the presence of any die breaks or wear. Well-preserved examples exhibit sharp details and minimal flan imperfections.