CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 10.76 g, 6h). NGC MS, 5/5, 4/5.

CNG Feature Auction 124
Lot: 259. Estimated: $ 1 500

Greek, Silver

Sold For $ 3 000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (23mm, 10.76 g, 6h). Baal of Tarsos seated left, head and torso facing, holding eagle, grain ear, grape bunch and lotus-tipped scepter; TN (in Aramaic) to left, M (in Aramaic) below throne / Lion left, attacking bull left; monogram below. Casabonne Series 2, Group C; SNG BN –; SNG Levante 106. In NGC encapsulation 3763304-012, graded MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5.

Tarsos was a primary mint under the Achaemenid Persians, striking a diverse variety of coinage, particularly under the satrap Mazaios. His latest issues had an obverse type with Baal enthroned to left, as seen on this exceptional stater, that probably served as a model for the depiction of Zeus enthroned on the reverse of Alexander the Great’s silver coins after the Macedonians seized control of the city in 333 BC. The very close stylistic similarity between the Baal on the satrapal issues and the Zeus on the earliest Alexander issues indicates that there was no break in production and that the Alexander-type coinage at Tarsos was struck immediately upon the transfer of the city into Macedonian hands. The loyalties of many Achaemenid officials, many of them well versed in Greek culture, proved flexible. Indeed, Mazaios was one of the first Persian satraps to recognize Alexander as master of all Asia after the defeat of Persia in the battle of Gaugemela in 331 BC; in return, Alexander retained him as satrap of Babylon.

The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 124 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 19-20 September 2023. This lot is in Session One, which will begin 19 September at 9 AM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.

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