KYRENAICA, Kyrene. Circa 322-313 BC. AV Stater (18mm, 8.62 g, 11h). Polianthes, magistrate. KYPANAION, Nike, holding kentron in right hand, reins in both, driving quadriga right / Zeus-Ammon standing left, holding patera in extended right hand, scepter in left; thymiaterion to left,
POLIANQEU[S] to right. Naville 87 (same dies); Müller,
Afrique 192; SNG Copenhagen 1210 (same dies); Jameson 1353 (same dies); Boston MFA 1325 (same dies). EF, underlying luster, minor die rust, slight die shift on reverse.
Kyrene was a city on the coast of North Africa founded by colonists from Thera. By the end of the sixth century BC, the city had developed into a thriving trading center, particularly due to the export of its native silphium plant. So important was this plant that it was the principal type on most of its coinage. This particular coin is from the period just after the death of Alexander the Great. At the time, Kyrene was under the control of Ptolemy I, through his governor Ophellas. Most of the civic gold coinage of Kyrene is from this period, and is struck on the Attic standard. Here, the obverse depicts a chariot scene that is influenced by similar designs on contemporary Sicilian coinage. The reason for this choice of design is uncertain, but the popularity of the Sicilian gold in trade may have been a contributing factor. The reverse depicts the god Zeus-Ammon, the principal deity at Kyrene, who had been portrayed on its coinage from the earliest times. In contrast to Kyrene's earlier coinage, which was of unexceptional style, as well as other contemporary Hellenistic issues, these gold coins exhibit a refined style reminiscent of the high numismatic art of the Classical period.
