Cilicia, Kelenderis, Silver Stater, c. 425-400 BC.

Cilicia, Kelenderis, silver Stater, c. 425-400 BC, horseman with whip, seated sideways on horse right, rev. ΚΕΛΕΝ, goat kneeling right, looking back, dolphin below dotted exergual line, 10.67g, 12h (SNG Levante 23 [these dies]; SNG von Aulock 5631; Kraay Kelenderis 25a (NC 1962). Light deposit to reverse, otherwise extremely fine, scarce.

This silver Stater was minted at Kelenderis in Cilicia, in southeastern Anatolia, around 425-400 BC. During this period, Cilicia was an important region of the ancient eastern Mediterranean, situated between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Its location made it an important centre for trade and communication between the Greek world, Anatolia, Syria, and the wider Near East. Kelenderis was an ancient coastal city with strong Greek cultural influences. The city was particularly known for its maritime connections and its position on important Mediterranean trade routes. Coins such as this silver Stater were used in local commerce and helped facilitate trade throughout the region. The coin's imagery reflects the culture and identity of Kelenderis. Its designs typically feature a horseman on the obverse, often shown riding energetically, while the reverse depicts a goat, an animal strongly associated with the region. These images may have represented local traditions, wealth, and the city's connection to the surrounding landscape. The Stater provides an important glimpse into the economic and cultural life of fourth-century BC Cilicia. It demonstrates how local cities produced their own distinctive currencies while participating in the wider Mediterranean economy. Today, the coin is a surviving example of the artistic and historical traditions of ancient Cilicia.

The Reverse legend ΚΕΛΕΝ translates to "of Kelenderis."