IONIA. Ephesus. AR Tetradrachm (15.22 gms), ca. 390-325. NGC EF, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5.

SNG Cop-238. Bee with straight wings; Reverse: Forepart of stag right, palm tree at left, magistrate's name at right. Great centering on a well made planchet. Pleasing deep graphite tone with hints of luster. Ephesus was an Ionian settlement at the mouth of the Cayster River. It rivaled and finally surpassed Miletos as the chief sea port and emporium of the trade of the Maeander valley. Ephesus shared the fate of the other Ionian cities after the defeat of the revolt against Persia. It joined the Delian Confederation under Athens but sided with Sparta midway during the Peloponnesian War. The city was most famous in ancient times for its sanctuary of the Ephesian Artemis. According to legend, the temple burned down on the night of the birth of Alexander the Great, into whose control the city passed in 334 B.C. The bee was the heraldic badge of the city, related it would seem to the cult of Artemis. The high priest of the temple of Artemis was called "the king bee" while his priestesses were "honey bees." The stag was also closely associated with the goddess.

Ex: Michael F. Price Collection, as sold by Stack's in December 1996, lot 62. Ex: Stack's Sale, December 1984, lot 28.