The Thracian Chersonese, Sestos
circa 300 BCE
Æ 10mm, 1,73g
Herm facing; grain ear and kerykeion flanking /
Amphora
Von Fritze, Sestos 5; HGC 3, 1651
While we don’t have any specific ancient source that mentions a specific herm in Sestos, it certainly seems that there was one, based on the fact that the herm is nearly uniformly displayed (and abundantly) across its coinage. Epigraphic information confirms that there was some cult to Hermes in Sestos, particularly the Menas decree, created around 125 BCE, which stated that Hermes and Herakles were established in the gymnasium.
What is particularly interesting about the herm on this coin is that it displays it from the front, whereas most other coins display side views of herms. The image here is quite striking, and is perhaps the best representation of a herm I’ve seen. This detail suggests the engraver wanted to represent a specific form.