Stater from Cyzicus Artist: Unknown
Mint: Cyzicus (Mysia)
Honorand: Demosthenes, Athenian orator and politician

322–300 B.C.

Numismatics

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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