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Another Ghost City In Lydia?

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 Posted 09/04/2024  11:19 am Show Profile   Bookmark this topic Add Novicius to your friends list Get a Link to this Message Number of Subscribers
I thought that this would be an interesting project as Nakrasa (Nacrasa, Nakrason) is not a place that I had heard of. However, after much research I didn't find any more than the basics. The general consensus is that the city was founded by the Seleukids rather than the Attalids, and had once been garrisoned by a Macedonian guard. On the bright side the coin was submitted to the RPC and was confirmed as belonging to the RPC 3 1813A group: https://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coin/481873

The actual location of Nacrasa is not known, and the Barrington Atlas further confuses the issue by showing two possible locations, both named Nakrason! The city obviously existed as coinage was minted there, but there is no record of coinage before Roman rule.
Another-Ghost-City-In-Lydia?
Sullacoins refers to Edward M. Anson:
Edward M. Anson describes Nakrasa as a Macedonian settlement in Lydia. (see: "The Hellenistic Settlements in Europe, the Islands, and Asia Minor" published in 1996)
"The location of Nakrasa is not definitely known. It was in the upper Kaikos valley and is usually placed either at Bakir, Maltepe (two kilometres east of Bakir), or Ilyaslar (six kilometres east of Maltepe)." -Anson, 1996
Another-Ghost-City-In-Lydia?
Another paragraph mentions Nakrason:
"Nakrason is one of a number of colonies of Macedonians in Lydia; others include AGATHEIRA, AKRASOS, DODYE, -ESPOURA, HYRKANIS, KOBEDEDYLE, and THYATEIRA. Although there is evidence indicating the Seleukos I founded Thyateira and that the settlers at Hyrkanis worshipped Zeus Seleukeios, the earliest information about most of the other colonies dates from the second century BC, i.e., the period of Attalid rule. Nevertheless it is likely that the Macedonian colonies were founded by The Seleukids rather than the Attalids." -Anson, 1996

Though some believe that Nakrasa and Akrasos are one and the same, the Atauni Edu page, "Akrasos/Nakrasa/Ilyaslar" disputes this:
"Akrasos is an ancient city located in the Kaikos Valley between Kirkagac and Gelenbe.
It is said that both cities, which are often confused with the city of Nakrasa, which is thought to be in the same region, minted separate coins.
From Ramsay's list of bishoprics, we learn that while the bishop of the city of Akrasos always attended church assemblies, the bishop of the city of Nakrasa never did. However, all settlements with urban status could mint money and these cities had a bishop. In addition, the remains of the city of Akrasos have not been identified."
Another-Ghost-City-In-Lydia?
Nacrasa Lydia. c.2nd Century AD.
Obverse: Youthful draped bust of the Roman Senate right. Obverse Inscription: ΘEON CYNKΛHTON. Reverse: Bust of city-goddess (Roma) right, wearing modius. Reverse Inscription: NAKPACITΩN. Bronze. Diameter: 16 mm. Weight: 3.04 gr.
Reference: RPC 3 1813A
Edited by Novicius
09/04/2024 11:21 am
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 Posted 09/04/2024  1:16 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add livingwater to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Interesting, thanks for sharing. I think there were several hundred ancient cities that issued coins at one time or another. Some of their locations are unknown. I have a few Roman Provincial coins from Lydia, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia.
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 Posted 09/04/2024  4:30 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Kamnaskires to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Another Provincial mystery. Congrats on the latest RPC upload.
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 Posted 09/04/2024  5:26 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add tdziemia to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply
Because my collection only goes back to medievals, I don't think I've ever run across a mystery/puzzle like that. Most places that minted are places that still exist (though some have dropped WAY down the food change in economic importance).
Bravo for your curiosity and perseverance (and of course on the coin!)
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 Posted 09/04/2024  9:30 pm  Show Profile   Bookmark this reply Add Novicius to your friends list Get a Link to this Reply

Quote:
I think there were several hundred ancient cities that issued coins at one time or another. Some of their locations are unknown.

Indeed, @livingwater. I do find it strange that somewhere important enough to mint coinage, and is sometimes recorded paying taxes, just disappears with no record of where it had actually been. One of the vagaries of the hobby I guess.

Thanks, @jbuck.

Quote:
Another Provincial mystery. Congrats on the latest RPC upload.

Thanks, Bob. I have to admit (mostly) defeat with this one.

Quote:
I don't think I've ever run across a mystery/puzzle like that.

Thanks, @tdziemia. Often when getting nowhere with a coin, my "go-to's" Hansen and Neilsen and the Barrington Atlas provide some clues. Unfortunately not in this case though.
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