A quest for independence, a power-hungry tyrant, and the fall of a regime were all involved in the creation of the next coin we will be examining in our blog series. Following along with the 100 Greatest Ancient Coins published by Whitman Publishing, author Harlan J. Berk will graciously lead us along in the breakdown of the design and context behind this top five pick within the compilation. We would like to remind you, again, that we are exploring this series from the earliest coinage onward, meaning that their rankings are out of order.
#4 – Naxos Tetradrachm (Greece – Circa 460 BC)
The tyrant Hieron of Syracuse used his control of the Greek city, Naxos, to deport its people in 476 BC in order to build the population of his city, Syracuse. He believed that the Naxians wanted their independence, concluding that if he built up his city with these deportations, Syracuse would never be able to be challenged as its strength in numbers would prevent such a thing. However, the Naxians would return to their city in 461 BC when the regime of Hieron crumbled.
Upon their return home, a tetradrachm was struck. Featured on the coin was Dionysus, the god of wine and male fertility. As the chief deity, he was depicted wearing an ivy wreath on the obverse. The strike is considered a “severe style,” referring to the transition between Archaic and classical style design. His beard and hair are considered Archaic in style. The image as a whole is viewed as more natural than earlier styles.
The reverse of the tetradrachm features Silenus, the companion of Dionysus who is often drunk. He is sitting on the ground raising a cup of wine while the name of the city is featured around him. This depiction references classical art with a precise and elegant strike. This can be seen the most as one views his stomach and the structure of his ribs and collarbone.
Berk emphasizes that there are only 61 of these tetradrachms known to exist.