Rhodes, Caria (Aristokritos, magistrate)

[B]Rhodes, Caria (Aristokritos magistrate; 230-205 BC.) AR Tetradrachm[/B] [u]Obv[/u]: Radiate head of god Helios, facing slightly right. [u]Rev[/u]: Side view of large rose with bud to the right and aplustre to the left; POΔION legend above and APIΣTOKPITOΣ (Aristokritos; Muensterberg, Br.M. 241, 243) magistrate legend below; all within dotted circle. [u]Attribution[/u]: SNG Helsinki 544; SNG Cop.753; SNG v. Aulock 2800; BMC 122. [u]Provenance[/u]: ex. Ronald Cohen Coll.; ex. CNG Triton III, (lot#565); ex. Triton VIII (1/11/05,lot#479). [u]Weight[/u]: 13.56 gm [u]Maximal Diameter[/u]: 26.0 mm [u]Axis[/u]: 12 [u]Note[/u]: Rhodes - site of the "Colossus of Rhodes," one of wonders of the ancient world. This splendid city, situated on the northern promontory only 12 mi. from the mainland, was given the same name as the island. It quickly achieved great prosperity and eventually became one of the principle trading centers of the ancient world. In the 3rd century Rhodos exercised much political influence in the eastern Mediterranean, through the strength of its fleet. But, in 167 BC., the Romans declared Delos a free port, and the Rhodians, their prosperity now greatly diminished, sank into comparative obscurity. GK148