Tetradrachm - Er

Historical Context: This silver tetradrachm from Kos, issued 365-355 BC, signifies a prosperous era for the autonomous island city-state. Positioned in the Dodecanese, Kos navigated a complex geopolitical landscape, asserting its identity through its coinage. The magistrate’s initial 'Er' underscores local governance. This denomination reflects Kos's active Aegean trade, supporting its renowned sanctuary of Asclepius and medical school, which brought considerable prestige and wealth to the island.

Artistry: Anonymous master engravers of Kos produced this coin in the Late Classical style, blending idealized form with emerging realism. The obverse features a powerful Herakles, typically facing right, wearing the Nemean lion's scalp, symbolizing strength. The reverse presents a naturalistic crab, a canting badge for Kos, often accompanied by the magistrate’s initial 'Er'. The execution demonstrates refined skill, capturing Herakles’s robust musculature and the crab's intricate details.

Technical/Grading: Struck on a broad silver flan weighing 14.74 grams, this tetradrachm adheres to a local or Rhodian standard. For optimal grading, a strong, centered strike is paramount, ensuring full detail on Herakles’s facial features, the lion’s mane, and the crab’s legs and claws—its primary high-points. A well-preserved specimen exhibits minimal wear on these raised areas, clear magistrate’s initials, and a lustrous surface. Absence of significant flan defects further enhances its technical quality.