Islands Off Troas, Tenedos, AR Obol, Circa 550-470 BC, Zeus and Hera Head / Double Axe – RRR

$150.00

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SKU: G15.19 Categories: ,

Description

Greek, Islands Off Troas, Tenedos, AR Obol (silver, 0.56g, 7.9mm), Circa 550-470 BC
Obv: Janiform head of Zeus on the left and Hera on the right
Rev: Double axe within linear square, all within incuse square
Ref: HGC 6, 381 Rarity/Choice: Rare, Good VF (some roughness on the obverse otherwise lustrous)
Note:  Tenedos was an ancient Greek city-state located on an island in the northeastern Aegean Sea. It was strategically positioned near the entrance to the Hellespont (Dardanelles), making it an important maritime and trading center in antiquity. The term “janiform” refers to a design where two heads are conjoined back-to-back, like the Roman god Janus. On this coin, the head of Zeus, the king of the gods, is on the left, and the head of Hera, his wife and queen of the gods, is on the right. This conjoined depiction emphasizes the divine power and unity of the two deities. The reverse side of the coin features a double-headed axe, known as a labrys, within a linear square. The labrys was a sacred symbol in ancient Greek religious practices, often associated with the worship of female deities like Hera. The linear square provides a frame for the design.  The entire design, including the double axe and linear square, is incuse, meaning it is impressed into the surface of the coin rather than raised. This incuse square was a common feature of early Greek coinage and served to prevent counterfeiting. Overall, this coin reflects the religious and cultural significance of Zeus and Hera in ancient Greek society, as well as the importance of Tenedos as a maritime power in the Aegean region during the Archaic period.