SIDE, PAMPHYLIA, AR STATER, 430 - 400 B.C.E.
SNG France 628, SNG von Aulock 4764, Atlan 38 (O35/R36), Very Fine+/Very Fine, 23.2mm, 10.83 grams
Obverse: Pomegranate, border of dots around
Reverse: Head of Athena to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet, palm branch in front, within incuse square
CHOICE obverse with such a bold and clear pomegranate seldom seen! The quality of the metal on the coin is excellent. The reverse has been struck with a well worn die that already was corroded and had a flan crack, none of which of course affects the soundness of the coin.
Prominent Levantine numsimatists have informed me that numerous examples of this coin type have been found in Israel, though it is not understood exactly why. Perhaps the populace favored the coin because of the pomegranate which was also a favored symbol in Jerusalem.
