IONIA. Smyrna. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Hemiassarion (Bronze, 17 mm, 3.10 g, 8 h), Myrton, stephanephora and daughter of the people, and Rheginos, strategos, 84 AD. ЄΠΙ ΜΥΡΤΟΥ Humped bull standing right. Rev. ΖΜΥΡ ΡΗΓЄΙΝΟϹ Nike advancing right, holding trophy over her shoulder with both hands. BMC 140. Klose IV, Serie E. RPC II 1016.27 (this coin). A very interesting piece, and in exceptional condition for the issue, with a wonderful turquoise patina. Minor breaks in patina on the edge, otherwise, extremely fine.



From another coin of Smyrna (RPC II 1012) we learn that Myrton, a woman, served as stephanephora and also bore the honorific title ΘΥΓΑΤΗΡ ΤΟΥ ΔΗΜΟΥ ('daughter of the dêmos/people'). As with comparable civic epithets (e.g. 'son/daughter of the city/people'), the designation most likely signals conspicuous public service - such as euergetism and the assumption of liturgies - though this interpretation could be securely established only through a corresponding honorary inscription. The title is, in any case, also attested epigraphically for a priestess of Hera on Kos. Moreover, Myrton appears in the dating formula ἐπὶ στεφανηφόρου …, meaning that the civic year was explicitly reckoned by her tenure - a rare feat in the largely patriarchal structures of Greek civic life.