Aiolis, Kyme. Silver Tetradrachm (16.75 g), ca. 155-143 BC. Metrophanes, magistrate. Head of the Amazon Kyme right, hair bound with tainia. Reverse: KYMAIΩN, horse standing right, pawing at ground; under raised foreleg, one-handled cup; in exergue, magistrate's name: MHTPOΦANHΣ; all within laurel wreath. SNG Copenhagen 104; Warren 1060. NGC grade ChAU; Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5. Estimated Value $1,000 - UP
Broad-flan reduced Attic-weight tetradrachms with reverse types featuring a wreath border became popular in western Asia Minor under the influence of the Athenian New Style tetradrachm coinage that was probably introduced around 165 BC. Hoard provenances have led to the suggestion that many of these so-called "wreathed" coinages - especially those of Kyme - may have been employed by the Attalid dynasty to effect a change of regime in Seleukid Syria. They seem to have financed the struggle of the Seleukid pretender Alexander I (originally a citizen of Smyrna) against the hated Demetrios I. This coin depicts Kyme, the Amazon queen who is said to have founded the city. There appears to have been a local tradition of city foundations by Amazons in Aeolis and Ionia, for Smyrna and Myrina both also claimed to be named after Amazonian founders. However, Kyme was the only city to represent its founder on its wreathed coinage.
Purchased privately from George Beach, 6 March 1993.