Cilicia, Tarsos, AE Circa 164-27 BC, Tyche / Sandan within Pyramid

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Description

Greek, Cilicia, Tarsos, AE (bronze,7.52g, 21.1mm), Circa 164-30 BC
Obv: Turreted and veiled head of Tyche (city-goddess) right
Rev:  TAPΣEΩN Sandan standing right on a horned, winged animal, within a pyramidal monument surmounted by an eagle; 3 monograms to left
Ref: SNG France 1307 var; SNG Levante 940 var Rarity/Choice: Common, aEF (light verdigris otherwise, nicely struck on broad flan)
Note: Cilicia was an ancient region located in modern-day southern Turkey, along the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Tarsos, its capital, was a major city and port with a rich history dating back to ancient times. It was strategically positioned on trade routes connecting the Mediterranean with Mesopotamia and Persia, making it an important center of commerce and culture.  The obverse of the coin features the bust of Tyche, the city-goddess of Tarsos, facing right. She is depicted wearing a turreted crown, symbolizing the city’s fortifications, and a veil, signifying her divine status. This portrayal represents the city’s prosperity and protection under the watchful eye of Tyche. The reverse side of the coin bears the inscription “ΤΑΡΣΕΩΝ,” indicating that the coin was issued by the people of Tarsos. In the center of the reverse, there is an image of Sandan, a local deity associated with Tarsos. Sandan is depicted standing on a horned, winged animal, possibly representing a mythical creature or a symbol of divine power. Sandan is depicted within a pyramidal monument, topped by an eagle, a common symbol of power and authority. This monument likely represents a sanctuary or temple dedicated to Sandan in Tarsos. This coin provides valuable insights into the religious life of Tarsos during the Hellenistic and early Roman periods. It reflects the city’s devotion to its protective deity, Tyche, and its religious practices centered around figures like Sandan. Additionally, the imagery and inscriptions on the coin offer clues about the city’s political organization and administrative practices, making it an important artifact for historians and numismatists studying the ancient world.

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