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In early first millennia BC, the ancient kingdom of Phrygia dominated Asia Minor. Its prosperous cities included Midas, founded by fabled Phyrgian royalty of the same name. In late 4th century BC, these lands were conquered by Alexander the Great, who placed them under dominion of his general, Seleucus I Nicator. Seleucus married the Persian princess Apama, and in her honor was named the Seleucid seat of power, Apamea.
After a series of wars with the Roman Republic, the Seleucids signed the Treaty of Apamea in 188 BC, wherein they conceded their western lands to Rome’s ally, Pergamon. Shortly thereafter, Pergamon introduced their own new coin, the cistophorus, to distinguish from and substitute for Seleucid ones, and to trade with Rome (at the rate of one per three denarii).
The current coin, a beautiful mint state example of the style, was produced in the city of Apamea while Phrygia was under Pergamon control. The coin’s name is derived from the cista mystica, a knitted basket that was used to hold snakes, in particular for indoctrination ceremonies into the cult of Dionysus, Greek god of grapes, wine and its making, and all around ritualistic religious revelry. Ever since granting Midas his Touch, Dionysus was an important god to the Phrygian and Pergamon peoples, who built him a great theater and temple.
In 133 BC, when Pergamon’s King Attalus III died without an heir, his lands were bequeathed to Rome. The city of Apamea continued to prosper under Roman rule, and later was controlled by the Byzantines, and finally the Turks. Minting and circulation of cistophori were allowed in the region for a while, an exception to other coins which had to be produced in official mints, such as in Rome. The design devolved from its original form, increasingly incorporating Roman elements over time. Finally, the snakes disappeared, and the denomination became obsolete about a century later.
Coin Details: PHRYGIA, APAMEIA, c. 166-133 BC, AR Cistophorus (12.47 g), NGC Grade: MS, Strike: 5/5, Surface: 4/5, Obverse: cista mystica, wreath, Reverse: bow in bow case, two snakes, Reference: Similar to SNGCop 147, Kleiner-Noe Series 23, but exact die match not yet found.