Cassander, 316–297 BC. Tetradrachm, Tarsus

Cassander, 316–297 BC. Tetradrachm, Tarsus, circa 298–295 BC. AR, 27 mm, 16.95 g.

Obv. Nike standing left on prow, holding trumpet and stylis.

Rev. ΔΕΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ. Poseidon, nude, striding left, brandishing trident in right hand, left arm extended and wrapped in mantle; in left field, monogram; in right field, Ζ.

Refs: Newell, Demetrius 36.

A scarce issue from the Cilician mint of Tarsus, struck in the name of Demetrios Poliorketes but here attributed to the years of Cassander’s influence in Asia Minor during the fractious period of the Diadochi. The obverse figure of Nike on a ship’s prow evokes naval power and victory, while the reverse type of Poseidon advancing with trident embodies maritime mastery, recalling Demetrios’ reputation as “Besieger of Cities” after his famous use of naval power at Salamis in 306 BC.

The attribution of these Cilician tetradrachms has long been debated, with Newell placing them in the final years of the 4th century BC, when rival Successors sought legitimacy through familiar iconography of gods and personifications tied to the sea. The combination of Nike with trumpet and stylis is distinctive to this short-lived issue, marking it out from the more common Poseidon coinages of Demetrios’ mints.