Rare Ephesus coin to be sold in New York

ÖZGEN ACAR

A rare ancient Ephesus coin will be put up for auction on Jan. 7 in New York with an estimated price between $200,000-$300,000. 

The 14-gram and 23-milimeter electrum (a mix of gold and silver) coin is related to the god of light, Phanes. 

The statement on the front side of the coin has a meaning along the lines of “I am the symbol of Phanes” or “I am the tomb of Phanes.” It is one of the oldest coins with the Greek statement. This statement is carved on a male deer that lowers his head. The deer has been identified with the god of moon and hunting, the virgin Artemis.

Before the construction of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Temple of Artemis, there had been a small temple there. This coin dates back to 625-600 B.C. 

There are only two known similar coins in the world. One of them was sold in 2000 by the auction house A. Tkalec for $287,600 and the second one was sold in 2010 by German antique shop Gorny & Mosch for $409,500. 

Various ancient Anatolian coins will also be sold in the auction on Jan. 7. Among them are 10 electrum coins and a silver coin from Balıkesir’s ancient cities of Mysia-Kyzikos, as well as 12 coins from İzmir’s Ionia dating back to 650 B.C., seven coins from Foça, 16 coins from the Lydian-Karun era and eight coins from Antalya’s Phaselis. 

In the auction, there will also be other groups of coins from various regions for sale. This might lead one to think their sources are local smugglers.