MYSIA. Cyzicus. Ca. 550-450 BC. EL stater (22mm, 16.10 gm). NGC Choice VF 3/5 - 4/5. Half-length bust of a winged female deity (a siren?) left, wearing helmet-like headdress, earring and long-sleeved chiton, holding tunny fish by the tail with right hand, flower in left / Quadripartite incuse mill-sail square punch. Greenwell 98 (harpy). Von Fritze 75. SNG France 205. Boston MFA 1448. Light lemon surfaces with an aura of orange around the devices. The winged female depicted on rare Cyzicene staters is variously described as a harpy, a siren, or an early representation of Persephone (the flower suggesting this interpretation). Harpies are described as half-bird, half-woman, with eagle talons and harsh screeches; they were sent by the gods to torment men who had displeased them. Sirens, the mythical offspring of the river-god Alpheus and several of the Muses, are also described as bird-women, but with beautiful voices that drew sailors to their deaths. An early myth suggests sirens received their wings when Demeter sent them off to search for her daughter Persephone; the flower held by this deity might thus suggest the siren interpretation is correct.

HID09801242017

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