This coin has one of the most unique sets of iconography across all ancient coins. The obverse depicts a triple-headed god and the reverse shows a double-headed/Janiform god. It’s particularly remarkable given its size: less than one gram of silver.
Cilicia, an ancient region located in what is now southern Turkey, boasts a rich and varied history. Initially settled in prehistoric times, it became a vital trade and cultural hub due to its strategic position between the Anatolian plateau and the Mediterranean Sea. Under Hittite, Assyrian, and Persian control at different times, Cilicia thrived as a crossroads of civilizations. During the Hellenistic era, it was influenced by Greek culture before becoming a Roman province in 67 BCE. In the Middle Ages, Cilicia became a stronghold of the Armenian Kingdom, flourishing as a center of commerce and culture until its decline in the 14th century.
Janiform heads, a motif depicting two faces looking in opposite directions, have roots in ancient Roman and Etruscan art and iconography. This design is most famously associated with the Roman god Janus, the deity of transitions, doorways, and duality. Janus’ two faces symbolized the past and the future, reflecting his role as a guardian of beginnings and endings. Janiform imagery was frequently used on coins, amulets, and architectural elements to evoke protection and foresight. The motif later found its way into medieval and Renaissance art, where it continued to symbolize duality and interconnected perspectives.