These genuine ancient silver coins have been set
in a magnificent 18 karat gold bracet.
Aradus was an important city of northern
Phoenicia, the city itself occupying an island but
controlling an extensive area on the mainland.
This extraordinary silver coin, with its dynamic
imagery, befits coinage struck by this vital and
exciting town. On one side appears the turreted
and veiled head of Tyche, the ancient goddess of
fortune. The name tyche comes from the verb
tynchano, meaning "to hit", and reflects in it
various shades of meaning, such as "to hit on by
chance", "obtain", "chance to be" and the like. In
other words the "hit" or fortune could be good
or
bad. Tyche played an important role in situations
where chance really mattered, as in seafaring.
Since the Phoenicians were a sea-going people,
Tyche was a most important deity, at times
influencing entire cities such as the island town
of Aradus. The reverse side of this stunning coin
features the standing image of Nike, the ancient
goddess of victory. In her hands she holds a
palm and an aphlaston, the decorative ornament
that adorns the stern of ancient Mediterranean
ships. This image together with an inscription, is
surrounded by a laurel wreath. The powerful
symbolism on this coin can still be experienced
today, linking us with the age old hopes and
desires of the seafaring Phoenicians. Their
goddess Tyche has truly brought us good
fortune by placing this spirited emblem of
centuries ago, in our hands
- (FJ.5530)
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