Greek Coin: Didrachm

Inv. No.: c004
Provenance: Rhodes
Date: c. 400-333 B.C.
Weight: 5.43g
 
Obv.: Head of Helios, three-quarter face towards right, with windblown hair.

Rev.: Opening rose, grapes hanging from stalk attached to rose left; rosebud right.

The Greek word for Rhodes,with a change of termination also means “rose”. The flower was adopted as a symbol of the island.

In the Middle Ages, the head of Helios, patron deity of Rhodes, was taken, especially when radiate, to represent the glorified Christ (cf. on coin 167); and the rose, as the rose of Sharon, a plain in West Israel renowned for its rich, deep soil and the many-hued flowers that adorn it in spring.

Presented by Mr C. Carides.

Comparanda:
BMCG, Caria, Rhodes 36.