Greek Coin Stater

Inv. No.: c017
Provenance: Cydonia (Crete)
Date: 320-270 B.C.
Weight: 11.10g
 
Obv.: Head of nymph, wreathed with ivy and wearing pendant earring.

Rev.: Kydon standing naked, stringing bow.

The youthful hero Kydon was the son of Apollo and Akakallis, daughter of Minos.

The original idea for the types used on this coin came from a Cretan Neuantos, one of only two die-engravers known to us who left their names on their coins (the other was Theodotus of Clazomenae). Since Neuantos’ name is missing from this coin, and the dies are not specially prepossessing, they were apparently made by a lesser engraver in imitation of the work of Neuantos. Indeed, the existence of fine dies side by side with similar ones of poorer quality is characteristic of the coins of all Cretan cities.

Comparanda:
BMCG, Crete and Aegean Islands, Cydonia 8.