Caria. Kaunos circa 450-390 BC.
Stater AR

27 mm, 11,62 g

Winged female figure (Iris) in kneeling-running stance left, head to right, holding kerykeion in her right hand and wreath in her left / Triangular baetyl, inverted Δ and Γ across upper fields; all within incuse square.

nearly mint state

HNO 220 (temporary); SNG von Aulock 2349.

NGC graded AU Strike 5/5 Surface 2/5 The female figure on the front side of the coin was identified as Nike due to the wreath in her hand. However, Konuk (1998) names her Iris because she holds a kerykeion in the other hand, which is not an attribute of Nike but is associated with Eirene or Iris. Iris is typically depicted with a wreath and kerykeion as the messenger of the gods, and Konuk sees a connection between the divine messenger, the personification of the rainbow, and the cult stone depicted on the reverse side. Meteorites were often revered as sacred stones because it was believed they were sent directly by the gods.