Cilicia, Issos. c. 400 BC
Cilicia, Issos. c. 400 BC
AR Stater, 10.44g (20mm, 4h). Herakles standing half-right, holding club, bow, arrow, and lion's skin; monogram to right, wreath to left / Apollo standing half-left, holding phiale, resting on laurel-tree; c/m: bull standing right below shield, all within incuse square.
Pedigree: Ex CNG 66, 19 May 2004, lot 537. Plate coin in SNG Levante
References: SNG Levante 173 (this coin); cf. SNG France 418; SNG von Aulock -.
Grade: Minor marks overall and some porosity/pitting. Light overall wear. Countermark is interesting and attractive. Good VF. (gk1516)
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Issos is located in modern day Turkey and close to the border with Syria. About 70 years later it was the scene of a major battle between the Hellenic League, led by Alexander III, the Great and the Achaemenid Empire, led by Darius III. This battle resulted in the defeat of the Persians.