Description
Denomination: Silver drachm
Period: Ancient Greece
Date: 202-150BC
Origin: Ephesos/Ephesus mint
Condition: VF+
Obverse: Honey bee at rest. epsilon – phi. beaded around
Reverse: Stag standing. right; palm tree in background. APOLLODOROS (magistrate) to right
Size and Weight: 18mm. 4.13g
References: Sear 4387
Features and Provenance: The stag on the reverse is an allusion to Artemis. the elder twin of Apollo. She was the virgin huntress goddess who presided over hunters and military activities. The palm is also connected to Artemis. as she was supposedly born under such a tree. The obverse shows the worker honey bee which was used as a symbol of Ephesos. Again. there is a connection to Artemis as her priestesses were known as ‘bees’. Despite its emblem. Ephesos does not appear to have been a big producer of honey. The essential ancient sweetener and beeswax were important staples in Greece and used in very many ways.
Condition Summary. This varies with the age of coin and there are grades in-between
Uncirculated (U). As struck with no traces of wear
Extremely Fine (EF). Very slight traces of wear. all parts of legend etc present. visible and clear
Very Fine (VF). Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief. all parts of legend etc present. but maybe worn
Fine (F). Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible
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