Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Ancient Greek Phocaea
gold 1/24 stater
古希臘 福西亞
1/24金斯塔特
Item number: A232
Year: 625-522 BC
Material: Electrum (Gold with Silver)
Size: 6.9 x 6.8 x 2.5 mm
Weight: 0.68 g
Provenance: Private Collector, UK, 2018
This gold 1/24 stater, also known as a myshemihekte, originated from the Phocaea and was crafted by the Ionians during the period 625-522 BC. The obverse features a pattern similar to the Swastika, accompanied by a punch mark on the reverse, displaying a quadripartite square.
The Swastika is an ancient symbol with a rich and diverse history, spanning various cultures and beliefs across millennia. Its origins can be traced back to the Third Millennium B.C., and it has been revered as the emblem of numerous deities, cosmic forces, and natural elements. From symbolizing Zeus and Baal to representing the sun, fire, rain, and fertility, the Swastika’s significance has evolved through time and across civilizations. Its presence in different religious and cultural contexts, from China and Japan to Tibet and India, underscores its enduring importance as a potent symbol that transcends geographical boundaries and historical eras. Regardless of the various meanings attributed to the Swastika, it has always been primarily ornamental. While it may have been associated with different significations, its ornamental nature remained consistent.
The depiction of the Swastika in ancient Greek artifacts, such as verses and coins, typically features a square shape and a cross at right angles or near it. The interpretation of the Swastika’s presence on Ionian coins remains a subject of debate. Alex Thorn, in his work Symbolics of Antique Coins: Swastika and David’s Star, supports this hypothesis by including relevant coins in his book (p.63). In contrast, Thomas Wilson, the author of The Swastika, the Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migration, argues against these assertions, suggesting that the interpretation of these punch marks as Swastikas is erroneous. He points out that the arms of a typical Swastika consist of straight lines crossing each other, which is not the case with the design on Ionian coins. In fact, the design on these coins comprises four Γ(gammas), each separated from the others, forming a design similar to numerous other punch marks of the same era. Adjusting the length of each outer arm of this mark removes the Swastika form, revealing the square pattern commonly used for such purposes.
Phocaea, situated in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), was an ancient Ionian city and the founding city of several Greek colonies. Established around the 10th century BC, the Phocaeans established colonies in various locations, including Lampsacus, Amisus (Samsun), the Crimean Peninsula, Massilia (Marseille), and Emporion (Ampurias). During a siege by the Persians in 545 BC, many citizens chose emigration over submission. In 190 BC, Phocaea allied with the Seleucids against Rome and Pergamum, fiercely resisting Roman forces, leading to the city’s sack. Despite facing destruction after a rebellion in 132 BC, Phocaea was spared through the intervention of its colony Massilia.