Ancient Greek Mysia, Pergamon, Silver Tetradrachm c133-67 BC

  

Serpent emerging from cista mystica; all within an ivy wreath. Two serpents entwined around bow and bowcase; monogram (Greek lettering) within wreath and above, civic monogram to left, serpent-entwined thyrsos to right. The cistophoric tetradrachm was first issued around 200BC, a popular coin, it was copied and became pan. The cista on the obverse was a wicker basket used by the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans to hold mystical objects. It was used by the Greeks in their initiation ceremonies into the cult of Dionysus.

The snake, used as a stand-in for the god, would be carried in the basket on a bed of. The thyrsos was a wand or staff of giant fennel and was a sacred instrument used during religious rituals by the gods to induce sexual desire, amongst other things.

This varies with the age of coin and there are grades between. As struck with no traces of wear. Very slight traces of wear, all parts of legend etc present, visible and clear.

Some signs of wear on the higher parts of the relief, all parts of legend etc present, but maybe worn. Wear on the coin and parts of legend etc may be missing or not visible. I have been involved in the antiques business since 1971. My career took a leap forward when I joined Bonhams in 1976.

Some five years later I became head of the Decorative Arts department. This item is in the category "Coins\Coins\Ancient\Greek". The seller is "eric-knowles-the-hoard" and is located in this country: GB.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

1. Denomination: Tetradrachm
2. Metal: Silver