Speaker
Description
According to the generally accepted view coins bearing the head of goddess r. on the obverse and spearhead with legend X A on the reverse were struck at Chalkis in Aiolis. Currently their circulation has been confirmed in the Troad, especially in Kebren and its vicinity. As there is no city in the region with a name starting with “Xa”, these coins could have be minted by Charidemos, a famous mercenary commander, during the Great Satrap’s Revolt in the Troad. According to ancient sources, Charidemos took control of the region, capturing Kebren, Skepsis and Ilion in the Skamander Valley, to establish an autonomous princedom in 360 B.C. Faced with financial problems and in need of money to pay his troops he could be the authority behind striking the coins bearing the XA legend.
