Unknown Maker, Greek

These silver coins are important not only for their esthetic value and relative rarity, but also for their art-historical significance as early examples of Greek realistic portraiture. These spectacular staters complement and extend RISD's collection of ancient Greek coins.

Coins first appeared in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) during the 7th century BC, and their use spread quickly from there throughout the ancient Greek world. These six silver coins are from Lycia, a mountainous country now part of southwestern Turkey. True portraiture, emphasizing highly individualized features, developed in Lycia in the second quarter of the 4th century BC. The two coins on the left are portraits of Mithrapata, and the fourth and fifth coins (from left) are portraits of Perikles. Mithrapata and Perikles were Lycian rulers.