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Ancient Greek Rhodes
drachm
古希臘 羅德島
打蘭
Item number: A200
Year: 173-88 BC
Material: Silver
Size: 17.3 x 16.2 x 2.7 mm
Weight: 2.9 g
Provenance:
This is a drachm silver coin minted around the 1st century BC in Rhodes, one of the most important cities along the coast of Asia Minor. The obverse of the coin features a left-facing portrait of Helios, the guardian deity of the island, wearing a radiate crown. On the reverse side is a rose within a square frame, with the rose being a significant symbol of Rhodes, commonly appearing on coins and other reliefs. The ancient Greek letters “P/O” on either side of the rose represent mint marks, while “ΜΝΗΜΩΝ” above denotes the name of the magistrate.
Rhodes is one of the oldest human settlements in the Aegean Sea. In 408 BC, after discussions among the island’s three city-states, it was decided to establish a new city at the northern end of the island. The renowned architect of the ancient Greek world, Hippodamus, was commissioned for the city’s planning. The new city quickly became a significant commercial port, and Rhodian coins became important international currency in regional trade. In 280 BC, Rhodes decided to commemorate the successful defence against a siege by Demetrius I of the Antigonid dynasty, one of Alexander the Great’s successors, 25 years earlier. They erected a colossal bronze statue of Helios, standing 30 metres tall. This statue was acclaimed as one of the “Seven Wonders” and stood until it collapsed due to a severe earthquake in 226 BC.