SATRAPS of CARIA. Hidrieus. Circa 351/0-344/3 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 15.08 g, 12h). Halikarnassos mint. VF.

CNG Feature Auction 132
Lot: 448. Estimated: $ 1 500

Greek, 12h, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 1 550. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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SATRAPS of CARIA. Hidrieus. Circa 351/0-344/3 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 15.08 g, 12h). Halikarnassos mint. Laureate head of Apollo facing slightly right / Zeus Labraundos standing right, holding labrys and inverted spear; I to left. Konuk, Identities 28; cf. Babelon, Perses 409 (drachm); HN Online 2208; NAC 27, lot 190 (same dies). Deep iridescent tone. VF.

Ex Numismatik Naumann 132 (3 September 2023), lot 267; Schulman 342 (9 July 2013), lot 433.

Caria was an important region along the coast of south-western Asia Minor, incorporating several populous cities including the capital of Halikarnassos. Peopled by a mixture of Greek settlers and native Anatolians, Caria became a Persian satrapy in 546 BC, but retained a measure of autonomy under the Hekatomnid satraps, who ruled as virtual kings starting in 395 BC. The Hekatomnids were of native Carian descent and practiced brother-sister marriage to keep their bloodlines pure. Most famous of these was Maussolus (377-353 BC), who greatly beautified Halikarnassos and began building a huge family sepulcher, the Mausoleum, that became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Mausoleum was finished by his son, Hidrieus, who struck this coin. Few other details are known about his reign, but Hidreius is reported to have assembled a fleet and 8,000 mercenaries in support of a Persian invasion of Cyprus. He also appears to have expanded his territory to include the islands of Chios, Kos, and Rhodes. Though loyal to the Persian king at first, relations apparently soured later in his brief reign. Hidrieus died of disease in 344 BC and left power to his sister-wife, Ada. The head of Apollo on this coin may reflect Rhodian typological influence, while the figure of Zeus Labraundos on the reverse represents the patron deity of Mylasa, home of the Hekatomnid dynasty.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 132 lots will be determined at the live online sale that will be held on 18-19 May 2026.

CNG Feature Auction 132 – Session Two – Lot 319-587 will be held Monday afternoon, 18 May 2026 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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