Description
Denomination: Silver tetradrachm
Period: Ancient Greece
Date: After 133BC
Origin: Pergamon mint. Mysia
Condition: Nearly extremely fine
Obverse: Serpent emerging from cista mystica; all within an ivy wreath
Reverse: Two serpents entwined around bow and bowcase; monogram within wreath and AP above. civic monogram to left. serpent-entwined thyrsos to right
Size and Weight: 12.54g. 27 x 2.5mm
References: SNG Copenhagen 427. Sear 3947-3950 var
Features and Provenance: The cistophoric tetradrachm was first issued around 200BC. a popular coin. it was copied and became pan-Asiatic in its use. The cista on the obverse was a wicker basket used by the Ancient Egyptians. Greeks and Romans to hold mystical objects. It was used by the Greeks in their initiation ceremonies into the cult of Dionysus. The snake. used as a stand-in for the god. would be carried in the basket on a bed of vine leaves. The thyrsos was a wand or staff of giant fennel and was a sacred instrument used during religious rituals by the gods to induce sexual desire. amongst other things.
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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