2017-05-15 Mon

Troas or Troad is situated in the northwestern part of Anatolia, Turkey. Bounded by the Dardanelles in the northwest, the Aegean Sea in the west, this region is drained by two main rivers, the Scamander (Karamenderes) and the Simois, which join at the area containing the ruins of Troy. Under the Roman Empire, the territory of the Troas became part of the province of Asia. Following its conquest by the Ottoman Empire, Troas formed part of the Sanjak of Bigha.

The coinage of the numerous towns of Troas belongs mainly between 4thto 5th century B.C. The close of the 4th century is marked by political changes and frequent migrations of the urban populations which are reflected in the coinage. To make the vast topic brief, it is suitable to divide the coins into four distinct region groups: Alexandria Troas, Ilium, Abydus and Sigeum. Today we shall learn a little more about the coinage of Alexandria Troas .

Founded in 310 B.C. by Antigonus, the city was renamed Alexandria in the memory of Alexander the Great. In the time of Augustus, Alexandria Troas became a Colonia. Its coinage typically reflects Apollo Smintheus weighing approximately around 16 grams. He wears a himation ( a type of cloth), carries a quiver over his shoulder; in his outstretched hand is a patera (shallow ceramic or metal libation bowl); in his left a bow. The statue is usually placed on pedestal or omphalos (a marble monument).

However, the above coin of Antiochus IIis different. The obverse of this coin has a winged diademed bust of Antiochus facing right. The reverse of this coin has Apollo seated on an omphalos facing left holding a bow in left and an arrow in right hand. A monogram is visible on the top left and a grazing horse facing left in the bottom centre. The legend meaning King Antiochus is found vertically on both sides of Apollo.