Stater - Teththiveibi

Historical Context: This silver stater, issued by Teththiveibi, a dynast of Lycia between 440 and 430 BC, emerges from a period of complex geopolitical flux. Lycia, while nominally under Achaemenid Persian suzerainty, maintained significant autonomy, allowing local dynasts like Teththiveibi to issue their own coinage. This practice underscored their authority, facilitated local and regional trade, and asserted a distinct Lycian identity amidst broader Greek and Persian influences. The coin serves as a tangible record of a vibrant, semi-independent polity in southwestern Anatolia during the early Classical period.

Artistry: The specific iconography of SNG von Aulock#4161 often features vigorous animal depictions or stylized representations of local deities, characteristic of Lycian coinage from this era. While the engraver remains anonymous, the stylistic school blends archaic vigor with nascent Classical naturalism. Obverse designs frequently include a lion's scalp or forepart, symbolizing power, while reverses might display a triskeles or a smaller animal, accompanied by the dynast's name in distinctive Lycian script. This blend of indigenous motifs with Hellenic artistic sensibilities defines its unique aesthetic.

Technical/Grading: Struck in silver to a weight of 9.84 grams, this stater adheres to a regional standard. High-points for grading typically include the relief of any animal's mane or musculature, and the clarity of facial features on humanoids, if present. The technical strike quality often varies; well-centered examples with full legends and strong detail on both sides are highly prized. Die wear can manifest as softness in peripheral details or on the highest points of the design. The flan shape is generally round, though minor irregularities are common for the period.