A rare coin from the oddest of tyrants

[kirispupis]

Recently, I acquired a coin of Zeleia that I think may be attributable to the tyrant Nikagoras of Zeleia. It's very possible that I'm the only person who thinks this, but below I'll present my argument.

First of all, this is another coin I have from Zeleia. It's more typical of 4th century Zeleia issues.

Troas, Zeleia
Æ (9mm, 1.35g, 11h)
c. 4th century BCE
Head of Artemis r., wearing stephanos. R/ Monogram (or torque) within grain-wreath.
SNG Copenhagen 503-4

 

Below is my recent acquisition and the Zeleia in question.

Mysia, Zeleia
Nikagoras of Zeleia(?)
4th century BCE
Æ 12mm, 1.65 gm, 5h
Obv: Head of Artemis (Hermes?)left, wearing stephane decorated with pellets.
Rev: Z-Ε/Λ-Ε, stag standing left.
BMC__; SNG Copenhagen__;SNG France__; SNG Ashmolean__
Unrecorded in the major references with bust and stag left

 

Why do I think this was minted from the tyrant Nikagoras? Primarily because I believe the obverse is not Artemis, but Hermes.

Nikagoras was a very interesting fellow, about whom we know practically nothing - save for one crazy behavior.

And why mention Nicagoras, a man of Zeleia by race, living in the time of Alexander, who was addressed as Hermes and wore the garb of Hermes, according to his own evidence? For indeed whole nations and cities with all their inhabitants, putting on the mask of flattery, belittle the legends about the gods, mere men, puffed up with vain-glory, transforming men like themselves into the equals of the gods and voting them extravagant honours.

                         - Clement of Alexandria, Exhortations

Athenaios also mentioned him.

Another attendant, with the riding-cloak and herald's staff, "and wings besides," was called Hermes, like Nicagoras of Zeleia, who became tyrant of his native city, according to the account given by Baton in his "History of the Tyrants in Ephesus ".

So, Nikagoras lived around the time of Alexander the Great and insisted on dressing like and being called, Hermes. Therefore, a rare issue from 4th century Zeleia with an image of Hermes instead of Artemis would be very suspicious of his reign. Unfortunately, we don't know how long he ruled before Alexander arrived, nor do we know if Alexander deposed him, so we can't provide any specific date range other than "around 334 BCE".

Therefore, my entire argument lies on whether the obverse is Artemis or Hermes. I therefore present some other coins I have from this period with both Artemis and Hermes.

Artemis

Macedon, Pydna
369-364 BCE
Æ 15mm 3,62g
OBV: Head of Artemis r.
REV: ΠΥΔΝ ΑΙΩΝ Owl standing r., head facing, on grain ear.
SNG ANS 701 var. (Artemis and owl l.); SNG Copenhagen -; BMC 4-5

 

Arkadia, Alea
Circa 390-370 BCE
Æ 2.46g, 14mm, 7h.
Head of Artemis to right /
Bow above [pellet?] and AΛ.
BCD Peloponnesos I 1347 var. (bow with partially detached string); BCD Peloponnesos II 2631 var. (same); Traité III 948, pl. CCXXVI, 23; McClean 6958-9; Weber 4268; HGC 5, 809 var. (same)
Ex CNG inventory
Ex BCD Collection

Troas, Gentinos
4th century BCE
Æ 14mm, 1.94g, 3h
Female head (Artemis?) r.
R/ Bee; palm tree to lower l.
Bellinger 145; SNG München 194-6; SNG Copenhagen 335

Note that I have a lot of Artemis coins, so I hope this is enough to provide the point.

Hermes

Thrace, Ainos
c. 280-200 BCE
Æ 18mm, 5.12g, 3h
Head of Hermes l., wearing laureate petasos.
R/ Kerykeion.
AMNG II 392; HGC 3.2, 1289

 

Lesbos. Eresos
circa 300-200 BCE
Æ 9 mm, 0,74 g
Head of Hermes to left, wearing petasos
Head of female right EPEΣI to left
Unpublished

Lesbos, Eresos
3rd-2nd century BCE
AE 9 mm, 0.64 g, 12 h
Head of Hermes to left, wearing petasos.
Rev. ΕΡΕΣΙ Grain ear.
BMC -, cf. 3 (bee on reverse). HGC 6 -, cf. 880-1 (bee on reverse)

 

Ionia, Phokaia
Circa 350-300 BCE
Æ 5.52g, 18mm, 12h
Head of Hermes to left, wearing winged petasos fastened under chin
Forepart of griffin to left; [ΦΩ]KAEΩ[N] below.
BMC -, cf. 99-100; SNG von Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -, cf. 1041-2. 

 

Arkadia. Pheneos
350-300 BCE
AE 13.26mm 2.13g
Obverse: Head of Hermes right wearing petasos
Reverse: Φ E, ram standing right, AP monogram before
BCD Peloponnesos 1614.2
Ex BCD Collection Purchased July 1976
Ex CNG

 

The thing that struck me is that, other than my Pheneos coin, everyone seems to have followed this system.

• Artemis faces right
• Hermes faces left

I'm not sure what to make of this. A check on ACSearch shows a number of coins that don't follow this, but keep in mind that I'm narrowing on 4th century bronze coinage. Two possibilities to explain the right facing Pheneos.

• Pheneos was in the Peloponnese, while Phokaia, Eresos, Ainos, and Zeleia are in Asia Minor
• Pheneos may depict Artemis instead of Hermes. The attribution to Hermes is likely due to the slightly more masculine face and the fact that Pausanias said that they worshipped "Hermes more than any other" but the same other also mentioned that they regularly prayed to Artemis too.

What I believe a more likely reason is that, during this time, Artemis tended to face right and Hermes tended to face left, mainly to avoid confusion. Likely in places where there would be no confusion (such as a temple to either), I doubt this was followed. However, when faced with a prior coinage depicting Artemis, in order to clearly make sure everyone knew that his coins had Hermes (aka Nikagoras) and not Artemis, the simplest thing to do on a small bronze coin was to make the portrait face the other way.

What do you think?

[Nerosmyfavorite68]

Neat!  I really like the patina on the top coin.  Aqua/blue is my favorite.

[expat]

I know very little about that coinage, but a fascinating conundrum to be sure.

[Deinomenid]

Probably of only slight value but may help with dating. I've only ever heard of Nikagoras because  he was a named follower and  supposed slave of a Syracuse "doctor" who knew and corresponded with Philip of Macedon. Doesn't mean  Nikagoras wasn't boss a little later.

The doctor was Menecrates, though he styled himself Zeus-Menecrates and he had a bunch of followers who were named after other divinities  including your chap!

 

[Broucheion]

Hi @kirispupis,

I would spend some more time researching the headgear/crown. It first struck me as a Polos, usually worn by Aphrodite. However, it’s not quite the same shape, thus more research might synch it for you.

- Broucheion