Ephesus Tetradrachm Tribute – Stag and Bee – 2 oz Silver

A bee with outspread wings and a stag beside a palm tree recall the ancient city of Ephesus. This ultra high relief tribute brings those distinctive civic symbols to two troy ounces of .999 fine silver, with a 36mm diameter, rough edge and Brilliant Uncirculated finish. The edition is limited to 1,000 pieces.

The Symbols of Ephesus

Ancient Greek cities often used recognizable animals and sacred emblems on their coins. At Ephesus in Ionia, on the western coast of what is now Turkey, the bee and stag were closely connected with the city’s identity and its worship of Artemis. Her sanctuary, the Artemision, was among the most celebrated in the Greek world.

These small creatures carried a meaning larger than their size. The bee served as an emblem of Artemis at Ephesus, while the stag evoked the goddess’s association with wild animals. Together, they give this design a clear local character: a coin could communicate where it came from through imagery as well as lettering.

Obverse Design

A bee is shown from above, its antennae, legs, wings and segmented body arranged in a nearly symmetrical composition. The Greek letters Ε and Φ appear on either side, identifying Ephesus. A border of dots frames the insect, and the ultra high relief treatment draws attention to the raised body and delicate wing outlines.

Reverse Design

A stag stands facing right with a palm tree behind it. The animal’s antlers and the tree’s spreading fronds create a contrasting pair of natural forms. A vertical Greek inscription occupies the field to the stag’s right, preserving the character of the ancient design.

Specifications

• Weight: 2 troy ounces
• Purity: .999 fine silver
• Diameter: 36mm
• Thickness: 5.5mm
• Edge: Rough
• Relief: Ultra High Relief
• Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated
• Limited mintage: 1,000

Ancient Imagery, Modern Silver

This modern collectible honors Ephesian coin imagery; it is not an ancient coin. Its distinctive wildlife subjects make it an appealing companion to other ancient-design tributes, as well as a natural choice for collectors drawn to bees, deer and the art of the Greek world.

Explore more designs in our silver round collection.