Cilicia, Syedra, medallion(?). Unpublished and Unique

Cilicia, Syedra. AE (bronze, 31.5g, 31mm). Unusual and Apparently Unpublished

Obverse/Reverse Combination

Obv: Head of the deified Alexander the Great right, wearing the horn of Ammon.

Rev: Tentatively read, ϹΥΕΔΡΕΩΝ ΓΥΜΝΑϹΙΑΡΧΙΑ (Syedreōn Gymnasiarchia), referring to the gymnasiarchy of the Syedrians; gymnasiarch's oil-basin at right, accompanied by three one-handled cylindrical vessels of unequal sizes, with a palm on each side.

Ref: for rev. cf. RPC IX, 1207

Note: The reverse type and legend are known for the coinage of Syedra, but the present specimen appears to represent an unusual, and apparently unpublished, combination of the deified Alexander obverse with the ΓΥΜΝΑΣΙΑΡΧΙΑ reverse. No example of this specific obverse/reverse pairing has been located in the standard references consulted. The coin is also remarkable for its exceptionally thick flan and substantial weight, distinguishing it from the more normally encountered examples of the type.

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