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| Classical Numismatic Group > Auction 132 | Auction date: 18 May 2026 |
| Lot number: 448 Price realized: 1,550 USD (Approx. 1,331 EUR) Note: Prices do not include buyer's fees. | Show similar lots on CoinArchives Find similar lots in upcoming auctions on  |
| Lot description: SATRAPS of CARIA. Hidrieus. Circa 351/0-344/3 BC. AR Tetradrachm (24mm, 15.08 g, 12h). Halikarnassos mint. Laureate head of Apollo facing slightly right / Zeus Labraundos standing right, holding labrys and inverted spear; I to left. Konuk, Identities 28; cf. Babelon, Perses 409 (drachm); HN Online 2208; NAC 27, lot 190 (same dies). Deep iridescent tone. VF. Ex Numismatik Naumann 132 (3 September 2023), lot 267; Schulman 342 (9 July 2013), lot 433. Caria was an important region along the coast of south-western Asia Minor, incorporating several populous cities including the capital of Halikarnassos. Peopled by a mixture of Greek settlers and native Anatolians, Caria became a Persian satrapy in 546 BC, but retained a measure of autonomy under the Hekatomnid satraps, who ruled as virtual kings starting in 395 BC. The Hekatomnids were of native Carian descent and practiced brother-sister marriage to keep their bloodlines pure. Most famous of these was Maussolus (377-353 BC), who greatly beautified Halikarnassos and began building a huge family sepulcher, the Mausoleum, that became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Mausoleum was finished by his son, Hidrieus, who struck this coin. Few other details are known about his reign, but Hidreius is reported to have assembled a fleet and 8,000 mercenaries in support of a Persian invasion of Cyprus. He also appears to have expanded his territory to include the islands of Chios, Kos, and Rhodes. Though loyal to the Persian king at first, relations apparently soured later in his brief reign. Hidrieus died of disease in 344 BC and left power to his sister-wife, Ada. The head of Apollo on this coin may reflect Rhodian typological influence, while the figure of Zeus Labraundos on the reverse represents the patron deity of Mylasa, home of the Hekatomnid dynasty. Estimate: 1500 USD |  |
