Stater Ura

Historical Context: This silver stater, issued by the ancient city of Kelenderis in Cilicia between 490 and 450 BC, dates to the Early Classical period. Kelenderis was a significant port city, strategically positioned along vital trade routes in a region frequently influenced by both Greek colonial expansion and the vast Achaemenid Persian Empire. The minting of substantial silver coinage like this stater underscores the city's economic prosperity and its active participation in Mediterranean commerce during a period of relative autonomy.

Artistry: While the specific engraver remains anonymous, typical for coins of this era, the stater exemplifies the nascent Early Classical style. The obverse features the dynamic forepart of a goat, a prominent civic emblem for Kelenderis, rendered with a degree of naturalism that transcends earlier archaic stiffness. The reverse typically presents a large, geometric incuse square, sometimes containing a KEL monogram or other small symbols, reflecting an earlier numismatic tradition while providing a stable striking surface.

Technical/Grading: Weighing 10.29 grams and measuring 20.5 millimeters, this silver stater adheres to the prevailing weight standard for its denomination. Critical high-points for evaluation include the goat's horns, eye, and musculature on the obverse, and the sharpness of the incuse square on the reverse. A well-struck example would exhibit strong relief, minimal die wear, and good centering, though off-center strikes are not uncommon for issues of this period, reflecting varying striking pressures.