PAMPHYLIA, Aspendos. Circa 380/75-330/25 BC. AR Stater (22.5mm, 10.95 g, 12h). Two wrestlers, nude, grappling; FИ between / Slinger in throwing stance right; EΣTFEΔIIYΣ to left, triskeles to right; all in dotted square. Tekin Series 4; SNG BN 99–100. Light iridescent tone, underlying luster, slight die rust on obverse. Choice EF.
As renderings of athleticism and action, the coins of Aspendos have seldom been matched. Aspendos was a colony of Argos located at the southern coast of Asia Minor on the navigable River Eurymedon, which made it an important emporium and naval base. Its famous wrestler coinage commences circa 410 BC. Wrestling was one of the premier events of Greek sports, practiced at the Olympic Games and at gymnasia throughout the ancient world.
