Side (Ancient Greece)
Pamphylia, Side. Silver Stater (10.75 g), 400-370 BC. Athena Parthenos, wearing long chiton and crested helmet, standing l., holding transverse spear and shield with her l. hand, on her extended r. hand Nike, taking off to crown her; at her feet, serpent erect; in flied r., short Sidetan legend. Reverse: Apollo, wearing short chiton and cloak, standing l., holding long scepter in his l. hand, sacrificing out of patera in his extended r. hand over lighted altar; in field r., Sidetan legend. Cf. Auction Nomos AG, Zurich 12 (2016), 108 (these dies). Very rare type. Excellent style and delicately toned. Extremely Fine. Estimated Value $15,000
The attribution of this very rare and unusual coin to the city of Side is uncertain. The types of both obverse and reverse are those of Side, but the city's distinctive mark, the pomegranate is missing. The inscriptions are definitively in the Pamphylian alphabet, it could therefore be an issue for a polis depending on Side or a special issue for a festivity.
Ex Leu Numismatics Ltd., Zurich 61 (1995), lot 161; Ex Spink & Son, London 1012 (2010), lot 1255.