Chios is an island and a city in Greece, close to the coast of modern day Turkey.
Chios was one of the original twelve member states of the Ionian League. At the end of the 7th century BC, it was one of the first cities to strike or mint coins, establishing the sphinx as its symbol. It maintained this tradition for almost 900 years.
By the fifth to fourth centuries BC, the island had grown to an estimated population of over 120,000 (two to three times the estimated population in 2005), based on the huge necropolis at the main city of Chios. It is thought that the majority of the population lived in that area.
After the Roman conquest Chios became part of the province of Asia.
Chios was one of the original twelve member states of the Ionian League. At the end of the 7th century BC, it was one of the first cities to strike or mint coins, establishing the sphinx as its symbol. It maintained this tradition for almost 900 years.
By the fifth to fourth centuries BC, the island had grown to an estimated population of over 120,000 (two to three times the estimated population in 2005), based on the huge necropolis at the main city of Chios. It is thought that the majority of the population lived in that area.
After the Roman conquest Chios became part of the province of Asia.
Modern location: Chios, Greece
(1)
Alexander III
Obverse: head of young Heracles in lionskin right
Reverse: Zeus enthroned left, holding eagle and scepter; grape bunch AΛEΞANΔPOY (ΠYPΦ)
Diameter:
19 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.3 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 4.3 g
No notes for this coin
Price 2322; HGC 6, 1134
(2)
Alexander III
An
AR
Tetradrachm
struck 210-190 B.C.
in
Chios
Obverse: Head of Herakles to right, wearing lion skin headdress.
Reverse: AΛEΞANΔΡOY - Zeus seated left, holding an eagle and a sceptre. ΩHME (Ω sideways) monogram above sphinx in left field.
Diameter:
30.8 mm
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 16.4 g
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 16.4 g
Posthumous Issue.
Price 2388; Mektepini hoard 311.