A HIGHLY STYLED SILVER HEMIDRACHM FROM
THE GREEK ISLAND OF RHODES FEATURING "HELIOS"

Obverse: Head of Helios with flowing hair and sun rays in background.
Reverse: Incuse square with rose bud. Magistrates name above rose.

The reference used for this coin are the British Museum Catalogues on Greek Coins, volume 18, page 245, a variety of number 162.

The large and important island of Rhodes, off the southwest coast of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey), produced a considerable coinage in the archaic period from its three major cities, Ialysos, Kamiros and Lindos. After the Persian wars no further coinage was issued on the island until the foundation of the new federal capital circa B. C. 408. This splendid city, situated on the northern promontory only 12 miles from the mainland, was given the same name as the island. It quickly achieved great prosperity and eventually became one of the principal trading centers of the ancient world. In the third century Rhodes exercised much political influence in the eastern Mediterranean through the strength of its fleet.

In B. C. 167, the Romans declared Delos a free port, and the Rhodians, their prosperity now greatly diminished, sank into comparative obscurity.

Helios is the young Greek god of the sun, often confused with Apollo, god of light. Helios is the son of the Titans Hyperion and Theia and the brother of Eos (Dawn) and Selene (Moon). Daily aroused by the rooster, his sacred animal, Helios mounts his four horse chariot and leaves his palace in the east traveling the Heavens to his golden palace in the west. Brilliant rays encircle his head and his chariot glows like fire as he stops at high noon at the top of the sky and looks around, letting nothing escape his radiant gaze; hence, Helios sees and knows all that happens on earth.