Lot 4969

Description

Cilicia, Satrap of Cilicia, Datames, (378-362 B.C.) silver stater, (10.48 grams), Tarsus mint, obv. female head three-quarter face to left, wearing sphendone and necklace, rev. male head to right (Ares?), bearded wearing crested Athenian helmet, before Aramaic legend "Trdmw" = Datames, (S.5644, SNG von Aulock 5939, SNG Levante 78, SNG France 3, 270). Toned, off centred both sides, flattened nose, otherwise very fine/good very fine and scarce.

In 379 B.C. Pharnabazos, satrap in Bithynia was given the task of reconquering Egypt for the Persian Empire. Datames, satrap of Cappadocia was later appointed to assist him. To finance this undertaking large quantities of silver staters were struck at Tarsus. He was left in sole command of this campaign after Pharnabazos death in 374 B.C. A few years later he became involved in the revolt of the satraps against the Persian king. The obverse of this coin is derived from Kimon’s Arethusa on the coinage of Syracuse.