Ancient Greece - 480-457 BCE Island of Aegina Turtle AR Stater NGC AU
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SKU
6155774002
We at AUCM are proud to offer a quite rare example of an Ancient Greek, Island of Aegina, Turtle AR Stater. Dated 480-457 BCE, this piece was graded NGC AU, and has quite a dramatic look to it. The obverse has a sea turtle with a 'T' design in pellets upon the shell. The reverse is a geometric design of a square with a windmill-like pattern. Both sides of this specimen have rich copper toning with splashes of iridescent colors. This is a rare specimen with a very unique look. Wouldn't it be a wonderful addition to your collection of rare ancient coinage?
The Stater was an ancient Greek coin (Stater literally meant 'weight') that was struck in several Greek city-states in addition to Aegina. Such coins with the turtle design were considered an important trading medium. Aegina was one of the earliest and busiest of the Greek mints. By 550 BCE the production of distinctive silver turtle Staters had begun on the island. Aegina was an island off the coast of Attica. The coins of Aegina presented the image of sea turtles on them when Aegina was the major sea power among the Greek city-states. The sea turtle was representative of Aegina's naval strength and resiliency. After being defeated by Athens in 458 BCE, Aegina replaced the sea turtle with a land tortoise, symbolizing its loss of prestige and sea power.
| Grading Service | NONE |
|---|---|
| Year of Issue | NONE |
| Grade | NONE |
| Ancient Year Range | 5th C. BC |
| Denom Type | N/A |
| Numeric Denomination | AR Stater |
| Mint Location | NONE |
| Designation | NONE |
| Circ/UnCirc | Not Specified |
| Strike Type | N/A |
| Holder Variety | Strike 5/5; Surface 2/5 |
| Grade Add On | NONE |
| Holder Type | N/A |
