ISLANDS OFF CARIA, Rhodos. Rhodes. Circa 226-220. AE (Bronze, 15 mm, 2.19 g, 11 h). Diademed and veiled female bust (of Berenike II?) to right. Rev. PO Prow of galley to right; above, rose. R. Ashton: Rhodian Bronze Coinage and the Earthquake of 229-229 BC, in: NC 1986, Group 1. BMC 228. SNG Kayhan 1706. Rare and unusually attractive. Good very fine.


Ashton connects this issue showing a female bust on the obverse with the disaster relief sent by Ptolemy III to Rhodes after the devastating earthquake of circa 226 BC. According to Strabo, the earthquake toppled the Colossus of Rhodes, but an oracle from Delphi told the Rhodians not to rebuild it as its construction had offended Helios. Ptolemy's offer to pay for the reconstruction of the magnificent statue was hence turned down, and his aid was used to rebuild the city instead.