The Colossus of Rhodes, the sixth of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was a huge statue of Helios measuring 32 meters (100 feet) high, built at Rhodes in 280 B.C. but destroyed by an earthquake later in that century.
It has inspired many later sculptures including the Statue of Liberty.
Modern location: Rhodos, Greece
Reverse: PO Prow of galley to right; above, rose. R
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 2.19 g
Ashton connects this issue showing a female bust on the obverse with the disaster relief sent by Ptolemy III to Rhodes after the devastating earthquake of circa 226 BC. According to Strabo, the earthquake toppled the Colossus of Rhodes, but an oracle from Delphi told the Rhodians not to rebuild it as its construction had offended Helios. Ptolemy's offer to pay for the reconstruction of the magnificent statue was hence turned down, and his aid was used to rebuild the city instead.
Reverse: P - O, Rose with bud to right. Control: TE to left
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 5.73 g
The city and port were devastated, and the great bronze Colossus beside the harbor was demolished. Greek states all over the eastern Mediterranean shipped in relief supplies, with Ptolemy III of Egypt being particularly generous. The Zeus head may reflect an Egyptian connection - the Rhodians honoring their benefactors.
Reverse: Rose with bud to right. Control: Isis headdress to right; all within incuse square
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.93 g
Reverse: APTEMΩN / P-O, rose with bud to right, hook to left; all within incuse square.
Die Orientation: 11 H
Weight: 1.16 g
Reverse: rose with bud to right, pileus left all within incuse square; ΣTAΣIΩN / P_O
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.85 g
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Reverse: rose, grape cluster left, bud to the right; POΔION / E
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 6.8 g
Reverse: P - O / Σ. Rose with bud right.
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.48 g
Reverse: P-O, rose; all within incuse square
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.47 g
Reverse: Rose with bud to right, POΔION above, star and Δ to left
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 3.46 g
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Reverse:
Die Orientation: 0 H
Weight: 2.98 g
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Reverse: Rose with bud to right, shield in left field; ΑΡΤΕΜΩΝ above P-O across fields
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 2.39 g