Nomos 1

PAMPHYLIA, Aspendos. Circa 380/75-330/25 BC. Stater (Silver, 10.94 g 12). Two wrestlers beginning to grapple with each other; between them, ΔΡ Rev. ΕΣΤFΕΔΙΙΥΣ Slinger striding right, preparing to launch sling-bolt; to right, triskeles to left. SNG Copenhagen 223. SNG France 89-90. SNG von Aulock 4552 (this coin). A lovely example. Attractively toned. Reverse very slightly double-struck, otherwise, good extremely fine.

From the collection of H. S. von Aulock.

It is remarkable how poorly struck so many staters of Aspendos are. Die wear, off-centering, countermarks, and poor engraving are all factors that mar most existing coins. Thus, coins like the present one are really quite uncommon, and help to explain why Hans von Aulock picked it from the many hundreds he was offered during his lifetime. The wrestlers refer to the local games; the slinger would remind the user that the Pamphylians were famous as slingers and were employed as mercenaries in many ancient armies.