Ancient Greece - 150-50 BCE Caria, Halikarnassos AR Drachm NGC Choice XF

CARIA, Halikarnassos. Circa 150-50 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 3.11 g, 1h). Moschos, magistrate. Obverse: Head of Helios facing, with curly hair parted in the center and hanging down over his ears on both sides. Beaded border tightly around head, not at the rim. Reverse: Bust of Athena facing right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet pushed back on head and aegis. MOCXOC to left around Athena. Attractive rich golden brown patina on both sides of this classic piece. Frankly, the strike is awesome and fully deserves the 5/5 score from NGC. Göktürk, Hoard 178 (same rev. die); cf. SNG Keckman 51; SNG von Aulock 8088 var. (position of name); SNG Copenhagen –; BMC 46. 

The ruins of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Halicarnassus was an ancient Greek city in Caria, in Anatolia. Located in southwestern Caria, it was situated on the Gulf of Goekova, which is modern day Bodrum, Turkey. The city saw much fame for the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, which is also known as the Tomb of Mausolus; this tomb gave the world the word "mausoleum." That mausoleum, constructed from 353 to 350 BC, is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The history of Halicarnassus is unusual due to two issues. While most other Greek city states had rid themselves of kings, Halicarnassus kept a monarchical system of government. Secondly, while their Ionian neighbors revolted against Persian rule, Halicarnassus stayed loyal to the Persians and was included in their empire until Alexander the Great defeated and took it over at the siege of Halicarnassus in 333 BC.