Coinage of Side

History

The earliest recorded coinage from Side, silver staters, date to approximately 490–400 BC. From this time up until the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius the coinage of Side is representative of a fine Hellenic style, often featuring the Helmeted busts of Athena on the obverse and the figure of Nike on the reverse. A frequent theme on Side coinage was the pomegranate fruit, as Side was the name for pomegranate in the local language, which is the city's name.

• Side, Pamphylia, AE16. ca. 310-380 BC. Helmeted head of Athena right. / ΣIΔH, pomegranate on a stalk, caduceus to left. SNG France III 772; SNG Pfalz 487-488 cngcoins.com, auction 145, lot 108, Aug. 2006.

In Greek mythology, young Side's blood is transformed into a pomegranate tree after she kills herself trying to escape from her father.

References

References

1. Sear, David R.. (1978). "Greek coins and their values". Seaby.
2. Turkish Odyssey [http://www.turkishodyssey.com/places/medit/medit3.htm Perge-Aspendus-Side-Alanya] {{webarchive. link. (2006-11-14 "Side was founded by Aeolians of the Aegean region. The history of the town extends back to the 7C BC. "Side" meant "pomegranate" in the local language. Until the Roman Imperial period, pomegranate was the symbol used on the coins of Side. ")
3. "Greek SIDE (Pamphylia) AE13. EF-. 1st century BC. Athena - Pomegranate.".
4. "PAMPHYLIA, SIDE. AR Stater, circa 460-410 BC. Pomegranate / Athena".
5. "Numismatica Ars Classica - Auction 96 Lot 1114".
6. Garzya, Antonius. (1955). "Paraphrasis Dionysii Poematis de Aucupio". [[Peeters Publishers]].