The Phanes coins are the first coins with Greek inscriptions. The Greek alphabet itself was adapted from the Phoenician Alphabet after the Greek Dark Ages. This episode takes a look at the emergence of the Greek script and the coins of Phanes. Five of the seven denominations of this coinage are depicted in the cover art.
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A comparative view of the Phanes coins identified in greater detail below. Source: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC https://cngcoins.com/IONIA, Ephesos. Phanes. Circa 625-600 BC. EL Trite (14mm, 4.67 g). ΦANEOS (in retrograde archaic Greek), stag grazing right, its dappled coat indicated by indentations on the body / Two incuse punches, each with raised intersecting lines. Weidauer 40; SNG München 14; ACGC 54; GPCG p. 98, 3; Kraay & Hirmer 585. Near EF. Very rare, fewer than twenty trites of Phanes known, arguably the finest in private hands. From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Classical Numismatic Group Inventory 922163. Source: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC https://cngcoins.com/IONIA, Ephesos. Phanes. Circa 625-600 BC. EL Hekte – Sixth Stater (9.5mm, 2.35 g). Forepart of stag right, head reverted / Abstract geometric pattern within incuse square punch. Weidauer –; SNG von Aulock –; Zhuyuetang –; Triton XI, lot 232; Triton IX, lot 919; Triton VIII, lot 400; CNG 100, lot 78; CNG 91, lot 272. Good VF, toned. Rare. Source: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC https://cngcoins.com/IONIA, Ephesos. Phanes. Circa 625-600 BC. EL Hemihekte – Twelfth Stater (8mm, 1.16 g). Forepart of stag right, head reverted / Abstract geometric pattern within incuse square. Weidauer 36-7; Boston MFA 1816 = Warren 1731; Head p. 15, 5 = Traité pl. II, 20. VF. From the Siren Collection. Source: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC https://cngcoins.com/IONIA, Ephesos. Phanes. Circa 625-600 BC. EL Twenty-fourth Stater (6mm, 0.57 g). Forepart of stag right, head reverted / Incuse square punch with raised lines within. Weidauer –; SNG von Aulock 7773; Zhuyuetang 9; Rosen Sale, lot 53. Near EF, toned. Rare denomination. Source: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC https://cngcoins.com/IONIA, Ephesos. Phanes. Circa 625-600 BC. EL Forty-eighth Stater (4.5mm, 0.28 g). Head of stag right / Abstract geometric pattern within incuse square. Weidauer –; SNG von Aulock 7788. Good VF. Rare denomination. From the Siren Collection. Source: Classical Numismatic Group, LLC https://cngcoins.com/
