Stater from Cyzicus | Yale University Art Gallery

322–300 B.C.

On view, 1st floor, Numismatics

The mint of Cyzicus coined in electrum far later than other mints; they maintained the early incuse punches on the reverse, and the obverse was an outlet for artistic creativity. Themes included plant and animal life, and gods and heroes, always with a tuna, the symbol of the mint. Here this symbol is seen at the base of the bust of the orator Demosthenes, identifiable from his sculptural portraits—normally the process is the reverse, since portraits in the round are typically identified from coins. The coin is part of a series that includes other prominent figures from Greek history.

Medium: Electrum
Dimensions: 16.05 g, 20.5 mm
Credit Line: The Ernest Collection in memory of Israel Myers
Accession Number: 2007.182.340
Geography: Made in Cyzicus, Mysia
Culture: Greek
Period: 4th century B.C.
Classification: Numismatics
Disclaimer: Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Numismatics

Obverse Description

Obverse Description: Demosthenes bearded r.; below, tunny fish.

Reverse Description

Reverse Description: Quadripartite incuse.

Provenance

Frank L. Kovacs, San Mateo, Calif., to about 2007; Anonymous, San Francisco, to 2007; Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven, Conn.

Bibliography

"Acquisitions, July 1, 2007–June 30, 2008," Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin (2008), 192

Object copyright

No Copyright - United States

Additional information

Object/Work type

coins, money, staters

Technical metadata and APIs

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