Ionia. Magnesia ad Maeander circa 350-200 BC.
Æ 15 mm, 3,42 g
Warrior, holding couched lance, on horse rearing right /
Bull butting left; Aristeos son of — in two lines in exergue; all within circular maeander pattern.
Newell, Five, p. 44, 12; SNG Copenhagen 826-40 var. (magistrate)

As was typical at the time, there were several cities around the same area that were called ‘Magnesia’. Magnesia ad Meander was likely the most powerful of them and received its name (as did the others) because it was originally settled by people from Magnetes, Thessaly.

Due to its excellent climate and weather, the region soon became famous for its figs, wine, and cucumbers.

The city is perhaps best known in history for the Athenian Themistokles, who was given the city to rule by Ataxerxes.

Ionia. Magnesia ad Maeander
circa 350-200 BCE
Æ 15 mm, 2,20 g

Strabo visited the city and marveled at its temple to Artemis Leukophryene, which he noted was superior in harmony and beauty to all other temples in Asia Minor. Parts of this temple were dug up and preserved at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. The city’s stadium remains well-preserved, while the rest of the site consists of scattered remains, since most buildings have been destroyed by the locals over time.

Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeander
ΚΥΔΡΟΚΛΗΣ (Kydrokles), magistrate
circa 350-200 BCE
Æ 17mm, 3,12g
Horseman riding right, holding lance /
Bull butting left, MAΓN above, KYΔPOKΛHΣ and grain ear in exergue, all within circular maeander pattern border.
BMC 26; SNG Copenhagen 814

In ancient times, people facing persecution could escape to the temple of Artemis and find safety there.

Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeander
ΚΑΛΛΙΑΝΑΞ ΤΡΙΤΕΟΥ magistrate
circa 350-200 BCE
Æ 17mm, 3,80g
Obv: Galloping warrior on horseback right, attacking with spear
Rev: ΜΑΓ / ΚΑΛΛΙΑΝΑΞ ΤΡΙΤΕΟΥ.
Humped bull butting left; all within maeander circle
Waddington 1731
Ionia, Magnesia ad Maeander
Poseidi-, magistrate
circa 350-200 BCE
Æ 16mm, 4,05g
Horseman riding right, holding lance
Rev. MAΓN / ΠΟΣΕΙΔΙΠ Bull butting left; all within maeander pattern.
BMC -. Imhoof-Blumer KM 14. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG von Aulock –