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.5161)
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