DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4327#0034
26 PBIENE.
while standing in the midst of these turned-up stones, lamenting the mischief done, by chance I found at my
feet a coin covered with dirt. I washed it, and found it to be silver, and read the name Orophernes.
" I then went in search of my wife and niece, who were in the treasury, to inform them of my good luck,
and again returned to the base of Minerva's pedestal, when the idea struck me that something more might be
found under the four intact stones already referred to, so I employed two Greek masons who were working
amongst the ruins, trimming stones for graveyards. With the aid of three crowbars we moved the first stone,
and found under it a silver coin, similar to the one previously picked up; under the second stone we found
another coin similar to the previous two. I then called my wife and niece to assist me in my discovery. On
their coming up, we removed the third stone, and found a part of a ring—say a garnet set in gold, and some
crumbs of gold ; under the fourth stone we found a gold olive-leaf, a terra-cotta seal, and some crumbs of gold.
We searched amongst the rubbish for more, but without success, so went to lunch in the treasury.
" During lunch the two Greek masons, with two or three other Greeks from Kelebesch, who came to Priene,
hearing I was there, to pay me a visit, as well as Yuruks from the hillside, who, seeing Franks excited at having
found something, came down to the spot to join in the kismet. All commenced scratching in the most perfect
harmony, wondering at my good kismet at having found so much in so short a time, and their bad kismet at not
being able to find anything. This was on Saturday, so on Sunday the inhabitants of Kelebesch, having heard of
the well-read Franks' discovery, turned out, bound to Priene, in search of treasure, two Jews accompanying them
with a fair supply of money to purchase any bargain that might turn up. A grand turning over of stones took
place by this mob of men, women, and children, but nothing was found. However, on the Monday afterwards,
the Greek masons found amongst the earth of Minerva's pedestal a gold olive-leaf and two coins similar to those
found by me. I purchased the broken coin (now in your possession) and the olive-leaf of the masons. The
other coin was sold to Mr. John Forbes, making in all five coins. I presented one to the British Museum, one
to the Dilettanti Society, gave one to my wife, and one to my niece. My wife has the olive-leaves and seal, and
my niece the ring.
" I remain, dear Sir,
" Yours very truly,
" To General Fox." "A. 0. Clarke.
The six coins found under the pedestal were all silver, with the same type and legend, and may be thus
described :35
12. 13.
COIN OF OROPHERNES.
Obv. Male head to right, beardless, bound with a diadem. Rev. BA^IAEflS OPO*EPNOT NIKH*OPOT. Victory moving to left, clad
in a talaric chiton and diploidion, holding in her right hand a wreath, in her left a palm branch, in front of her an owl on an altar; below the altar,
monogram.
The Victory on the reverse of these coins has an evident reference to the title NIKH<J>OPOT, assumed by
Orophernes in the legend. A pair of wings of bronze gilt, which probably belonged to a small statue of Victory,
were found in the ruins of the temple. These coins, while they differ in type and fabric from the coinage of the
other kings of Cappadocia, remind us in their general treatment of the contemporary coinages of Ionia and
iEolis, and their weight is adjusted to the same late Attic standard, as the silver money of many cities and kings
of Asia Minor. As Orophernes Avas bred up in Ionia it is probable that he would adopt the style of coinage in
use there, and very possibly these tetradrachms were struck for him in the mint at Priene. In that case the
owl on the reverse may be the mint-mark of Priene. Mr. Clarke stated to me that the three coins picked up
by himself under the lowest course of the foundation stones Avere lying in small hollows prepared for them in
the bed of the course. It seems impossible, therefore, to resist the conclusion that these coins, as well as the gold
ornaments described in Mr. Clarke's letter, were deposited under the foundations of the temple Avhen the statue
Avas originally set up. The dedicator of the statue Avas therefore, probably, Orophernes himself. As the citizens
of Priene suffered much heavy loss in his cause, he may have dedicated the statue in gratitude for their fidelity
35 These coins are published in the Numismatic Chronicle, New Series, vol. xi. p. 19.
while standing in the midst of these turned-up stones, lamenting the mischief done, by chance I found at my
feet a coin covered with dirt. I washed it, and found it to be silver, and read the name Orophernes.
" I then went in search of my wife and niece, who were in the treasury, to inform them of my good luck,
and again returned to the base of Minerva's pedestal, when the idea struck me that something more might be
found under the four intact stones already referred to, so I employed two Greek masons who were working
amongst the ruins, trimming stones for graveyards. With the aid of three crowbars we moved the first stone,
and found under it a silver coin, similar to the one previously picked up; under the second stone we found
another coin similar to the previous two. I then called my wife and niece to assist me in my discovery. On
their coming up, we removed the third stone, and found a part of a ring—say a garnet set in gold, and some
crumbs of gold ; under the fourth stone we found a gold olive-leaf, a terra-cotta seal, and some crumbs of gold.
We searched amongst the rubbish for more, but without success, so went to lunch in the treasury.
" During lunch the two Greek masons, with two or three other Greeks from Kelebesch, who came to Priene,
hearing I was there, to pay me a visit, as well as Yuruks from the hillside, who, seeing Franks excited at having
found something, came down to the spot to join in the kismet. All commenced scratching in the most perfect
harmony, wondering at my good kismet at having found so much in so short a time, and their bad kismet at not
being able to find anything. This was on Saturday, so on Sunday the inhabitants of Kelebesch, having heard of
the well-read Franks' discovery, turned out, bound to Priene, in search of treasure, two Jews accompanying them
with a fair supply of money to purchase any bargain that might turn up. A grand turning over of stones took
place by this mob of men, women, and children, but nothing was found. However, on the Monday afterwards,
the Greek masons found amongst the earth of Minerva's pedestal a gold olive-leaf and two coins similar to those
found by me. I purchased the broken coin (now in your possession) and the olive-leaf of the masons. The
other coin was sold to Mr. John Forbes, making in all five coins. I presented one to the British Museum, one
to the Dilettanti Society, gave one to my wife, and one to my niece. My wife has the olive-leaves and seal, and
my niece the ring.
" I remain, dear Sir,
" Yours very truly,
" To General Fox." "A. 0. Clarke.
The six coins found under the pedestal were all silver, with the same type and legend, and may be thus
described :35
12. 13.
COIN OF OROPHERNES.
Obv. Male head to right, beardless, bound with a diadem. Rev. BA^IAEflS OPO*EPNOT NIKH*OPOT. Victory moving to left, clad
in a talaric chiton and diploidion, holding in her right hand a wreath, in her left a palm branch, in front of her an owl on an altar; below the altar,
monogram.
The Victory on the reverse of these coins has an evident reference to the title NIKH<J>OPOT, assumed by
Orophernes in the legend. A pair of wings of bronze gilt, which probably belonged to a small statue of Victory,
were found in the ruins of the temple. These coins, while they differ in type and fabric from the coinage of the
other kings of Cappadocia, remind us in their general treatment of the contemporary coinages of Ionia and
iEolis, and their weight is adjusted to the same late Attic standard, as the silver money of many cities and kings
of Asia Minor. As Orophernes Avas bred up in Ionia it is probable that he would adopt the style of coinage in
use there, and very possibly these tetradrachms were struck for him in the mint at Priene. In that case the
owl on the reverse may be the mint-mark of Priene. Mr. Clarke stated to me that the three coins picked up
by himself under the lowest course of the foundation stones Avere lying in small hollows prepared for them in
the bed of the course. It seems impossible, therefore, to resist the conclusion that these coins, as well as the gold
ornaments described in Mr. Clarke's letter, were deposited under the foundations of the temple Avhen the statue
Avas originally set up. The dedicator of the statue Avas therefore, probably, Orophernes himself. As the citizens
of Priene suffered much heavy loss in his cause, he may have dedicated the statue in gratitude for their fidelity
35 These coins are published in the Numismatic Chronicle, New Series, vol. xi. p. 19.