| Savoca Numismatik GmbH & Co. KG > Herakles Auction 3 | Auction date: 7 July 2025 |
| Lot number: 55 Price realized: 7,000 EUR (Approx. 8,245 USD) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: Cyprus. Paphos. Timarchos 350-325 BC. Third Stater or Trite AR 15 mm, 3,29 g Head of Aphrodite left, wearing stephanos ornamented with three palmettes separated by annulets, triple-pendant earring, and pearl necklace / Dove standing right, wings folded; Cypriot letters from below and above "TI MA RA KO"(that means name of the king "Timarchos"), Greek letters "BA" (first 2 letters of Greek "BAΣIΛEΩΣ" that means king). This coin presents a notable example of the concurrent use of inscriptions in Greek script and the Cypriot script. Very Fine BMC pl.xxii no. 5 GCV 5783 From the Horowitz collection. The city-kingdom of Paphos, located on the western coast of Cyprus, was in existence since at least the late Bronze. The earliest coins date to the late sixth century BC, and production, almost exclusively in silver, continued through most of the successive kings, until the abolition of the Cypriot kingdoms under Ptolemy I. Timarchos was the son of Timocharis, and succeeded to the throne circa 350 BC. He was the first king to use the Greek alphabet on his coinage. The appearance of Aphrodite and her dove on the coins of Timarchos refer to the cult of Aphrodite for which Paphos was an important center; its sanctuary was one of the most significant shrines of the ancient world, and remained active through the Roman period. The king of Paphos also served as the cult's chief priest. During the time of Alexander, Timarchos was one of the Cypriot kings who joined with the Macedonian during the great siege of Tyre, and was allowed to retain his kingdom in exchange. Timarchos died in 325 BC, and was succeed by his son, Nikokles Starting price: 3500 EUR |  |
