Lot 1752

Description

Cilicia, Satrap of Cilicia, Mazaios, (361-334 B.C.) silver stater, (10.93 grams), Tarsus mint, obv. Baal of Tarsus enthroned to left holding corn ear with bunch of grapes and lotus-headed sceptre, behind Aramaic legend 'Baal tarz', below throne 'ankh' symbol, rev. lion left on the back of a stag kneeling left which it attacks with teeth and claws, above Aramaic legend 'Mazdai' and monogram below, all within circle of dots, (S.5650, BMC 52, SNG Levante 106). A superb coin, bright and extremely fine, rare.

Mazaios ruled Cilicia for 27 years, until just before the Macedonian conquest, later, under Alexander, he became governor of Babylonia.