CARIA. Rhodes. Tetradrachm (Circa 408-400 BC).

Obv: Bare head of Helios facing slightly right.
Rev: POΔION.
Rose with bud to right; to left, grain ear above letter Z; all within square incuse.

HN online 1028; Bérend 1972, 56; HGC 6, 1418.

Rare

The tetradrachm is dated to Rhodes' most glorious period, with the founding of the new city beginning in 408 BC. According to tradition, the origin of Rhodes has always been linked to the sun god Helios and the flower sacred to him, the rose, which appear on the majority of coins struck by the mint. According to Pindar Helios and the nymph Rhoda had seven children, among whom Cercaphus divided the island of Rhodes among his three sons, Ialysos, Camirus, and Lindos. Rhodes was invaded in 490 by the Persians and, after their defeat, became part of the Delio-Attic League (478), supporting the Athenians against the growing Persian threat. The Rhodians exited the alliance in 411, during the Peloponnesian War. In 408 the island's three cities decided to establish a new religious and commercial centre at the northernmost point of the island, designed by the famous Hippodamus of Miletus, who provided it with a regular layout with sturdy city walls that were state-of-the-art for the time, and five harbors. This made the city a powerful economic centre and one of the major trading centers of the eastern Mediterranean.

Condition: Good very fine.

Weight: 15.44 g.
Diameter: 25 mm.