308–277 B.C. Silver Didrachm Silphium of Cyrene NGC VF

A Plant So Delicious, It Was Driven To Extinction!

Silphium is one of history’s great mysteries. The wild-growing plant, which played a huge role in the Mediterranean economy during the early years of the Hellenistic Period, has now been extinct for at least 2,000 years. It was universally celebrated as a seasoning, perfume, aphrodisiac, and medicine. It was even used as a contraceptive by ancient Greeks and Romans! In fact, it was so important to the people of Cyrene that they minted its image onto much of their coinage. Today, these Didrachms struck in 7 to 8 grams of silver are all that remain of this ancient miracle plant.

The Ancient World’s Wonder Drug

Cyrene was located on the North African Coast near present-day Shahhat, Libya. According to Greek mythology, the city was given its name by nonother than Apollo himself, who named the city after Cyrene, a Thessalian princess who was the city’s first queen and ruler. Described as a fierce huntress, Cyrene killed a lion with her bare hands. Apollo, who witnessed the fight, was so impressed by her strength and beauty that he carried her away in his golden chariot and made her queen of a fertile and rich land on the North African coast. The story was told and re-told by Greek colonists who founded Cyrene in 631 B.C. With its fertile land, Cyrene’s chief export soon became Silphium, and the region grew rich from the demand for this do-everything plant. Writing in the first Century A.D., the Roman historian Pliny the Elder considered Silphium to be worth its weight in silver denarii!

Like any trendy wonder-drug, it wasn’t long before news about the near-mystical powers of Silphium spread far and wide. Not only did demand begin to outstrip the supply of the plant’s leaves and seeds, but silphium proved to be an untamable plant that could not be easily cultivated. Roman demand eventually led to its extinction, with the plant ultimately disappearing even before the fall of the Roman Empire in 476. According to folklore, the last remaining pill made from Silphium was ingested by Emperor Nero, who legend says he knew it was the last morsel of Silphium in existence and plopped it onto his mouth anyway in a dramatic demonstration of his wealth and power! Now we are left to wonder about its taste, and its seemingly magical properties.

Greek Silphium That’s 20 Centuries Old

Unlike the plant, the ancient Greek Silver Didrachms of Cyrene we have here have not only survived more than 20 centuries, but they’ve also made to today’s modern world in nice condition. So nice, in fact, that the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) has certified, graded, and encapsulated them in Very Fine (VF) condition! While this coin shows the blooming plant on one side, the bust of Carneius l appears on the obverse in the guise of Greek God Apollo. At the time this coin was struck Cyrene had already been conquered Alexander the Great and after his death in 323 B.C. it was taken by Ptolemy I when Alexander’s empire was divided between his generals. Cyrene would reclaim its independence in 276 B.C. only to become part of the Roman Empire.

Only limited quantities are available, however, so act now to secure yours!