Ephesos, Ionia, 202-150 BC, Drachm

Ephesos, Ionia, Drachm, AR, struck 202-150 BC under the magistrate Apelles. The coin weighs 3.46g with a diameter of approximately 18mm. The obverse features a detailed depiction of a bee, a symbol commonly associated with Ephesos. The reverse bears the inscription AΠΕΛΛΗΣ, the name of the magistrate responsible for the issue. The strike is well-centered with clear and precise details. This coin is referenced in SNG München 70.

Ephesos was an important city in ancient Ionia, notable for its cultural and economic significance, due in part to its status as a major trading hub and religious center. The bee, central on the obverse, alludes to the city's connection with the famed Temple of Artemis, where the bee was a symbol of the goddess's priestess. Coins from this period, such as this drachm, reflect the autonomy and local pride of the city under the diverse Macedonian and Roman influences.