Cistophorus

The cistophorus is an ancient silver coin that originated in the 2nd century BC in the city of Pergamon in Asia Minor and played an important role throughout the region of Western Asia Minor. In numismatic terms, the cistophorus is considered a remarkable example of Hellenistic coinage and an important vehicle of political symbolism during the transition from Greek independence to Roman provincial rule. The cistophorus owes its name to the central motif on the obverse of the coin: the kistē, a sacrificial basket entwined with vine leaves, which played a ritual role in the mystery cults of Dionysus.
Typically, the reverse side of the coin shows two writhing snakes entwined around a thyrsus staff or flanking a bow and quiver, accompanied by Greek inscriptions indicating the minting city and other relevant information. These symbolic representations underscore the close connection between the cistophori and cultic and religious elements of the Hellenistic cultural sphere.
In the coinage system, the cistophorus weighed about the same as three Roman denarii, although it is nominally referred to as a tetradrachma. This deviation from the standard weight underlines the regional specificity of the cistophoric coinage. When Rome took control of the Pergamon Empire after the death of King Attalus III in 133 BC and established the province of Asia, the cistophorus continued to be minted in the name of the new Roman administration. Later, during the imperial period, cistophori appeared with portraits of Roman emperors and members of the imperial family, demonstrating their continuing importance in regional trade and their political function as representative coins.
The cistophorus is particularly exciting for numismatists because it offers a unique insight into the interrelationships between Greek tradition, local identity and Roman power politics. It is not only an important testimony to monetary history, but also a symbol of the cultural fusion of Greek heritage and Roman administration. Cistophori are now sought-after collector’s items and, thanks to their rich iconography, allow a differentiated view of ancient coinage in the Hellenistic-Roman context.