Nomos 34

CILICIA. Tarsos. Mazaios, satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. Stater (Silver, 23 mm, 10.95 g, 9 h). B’LTRZ Baaltars seated left on backless throne, his body turned to front, holding an eagle, a grain ear and a vine branch with a bunch of grapes in his right hand, and long scepter in his left; to left, TR; below throne, M. Rev. MZDY Lion attacking bull to left. Casabonne Series 2, Group C. SNG Levante Suppl. 20. SNG Paris 335. A perfect piece, very well-struck from fresh dies, nicely toned and most attractive. Good extremely fine.

Property of a Late Collector, ex Sternberg XVIII, 20 November 1986, 184.

This is a remarkably well-struck, sharp and clear example of a very well-known series of Mazaios from Tarsos. These staters, and the many earlier and contemporary issues struck under the authority of other Persian military commanders, were produced in Cilicia, which, at the time, was a major Persian military center. They were, obviously, intended for military pay, as were the equally massive numbers of small silver fractions that were struck there to facilitate paying for the troops' usual daily needs.