Ionia. Ephesos circa 400-350 BC. ΕΓΚΑΙΡΙΟΣ, magistrate
Tetradrachm AR

25 mm, 14,31 g

Ε - Φ Bee with straight wings / ΕΓΚΑΙΡΙΟΣ, forepart of stag to right, head turned back to left; to left, date palm.

Very Fine

SNG von Aulock –; SNG Copenhagen -.

On Ephesian coins, the bee and stag are common symbols that hold significant cultural and religious importance for the ancient city of Ephesus, which was an influential Greek city in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The Bee: The bee is a symbol associated with the city's patron goddess, Artemis. Ephesus was home to the magnificent Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Artemis was often depicted with bees, and the insect was considered sacred to her. The presence of the bee on Ephesian coins serves as a tribute to the city's devotion to Artemis and her worship. The Stag: The stag, or deer, is another prominent symbol found on Ephesian coins. It is also associated with Artemis, as she was often depicted as the goddess of the hunt. The stag represents her connection to the natural world, particularly to hunting and wilderness. Additionally, the stag may symbolize the abundant wildlife and natural resources of the region around Ephesus.