Magas, King of Cyrene, 282-250 BC, 1/10 Stater

Magas, 1/10 Stater, gold, reign of Magas, King of Cyrene, 282-250 BC, minted in Cyrene. Weight: 0.73g, diameter: 8mm. The obverse features the bearded head of Zeus Ammon facing right, distinguished by a ram's horn over his ear, a characteristic symbol of the deity’s association with the oracular deity worshiped in Libya. The reverse depicts the head of the nymph Kyrene(?), facing right, adorned with a single pendant earring and her hair rolled in an elegant updo style. This piece exhibits a well-centered strike with considerable detail in both figures. Cited in Naville 249.

Magas, the half-brother of Ptolemy II, declared himself king of Cyrene and ruled this vital Hellenistic city-state in North Africa. His coinage reflects the independence and identity of the Cyrenaican realm, marking its distinction from Ptolemaic Egypt. The use of Zeus Ammon on the obverse symbolizes Cyrene's religious and cultural connections, while the possible depiction of Kyrene on the reverse reinforces local mythology, thus strengthening regional pride and authority during a period characterized by dynastic tensions and expansion.