MYSIA Kyzikos EL Stater head of Athena

Pedigree : CNG auction 120 11 May 2022 lot 300

M. Brett, in the 1955 catalog of Greek coins from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, had already noted the similarity between the zigzags at the base of the crest and those found on archaic Athenian tetradrachms. It therefore seems that this coin was directly inspired by these tetradrachms.

Cyzicus was a Greek city in Mysia, located on the Propontis (modern-day Sea of Marmara). It was founded by Ionian Greeks from the city of Miletus in 756 BCE. According to legend, the city was built by Cyzicus, son of Apollo, who came from Thessaly accompanied by the Pelasgians. They were later driven out by the Lydians, who in turn were expelled by the citizens of Miletus. (Source: Wikipedia)