This genuine ancient coin has been mounted in a modern 18 karat gold pendant.

Cilicia is an ancient region of southeastern Asia Minor (modern Turkey), along the Mediterranean north of Cyprus. It included a high and barren plateau, Cilicia Trachia, an inhospitable region that served as shelter for pirates, and a richly fertile plain, Cilicia Pedias, that served as a strategic passageway throughout history. The area was under the domination of the Assyrian Empire before it became part of the Persian Empire. The Greeks settled on the coast early on, and Cilicia was Hellenized to a great extent. Tarsus was the capital of Cilicia and one of the most important cities in Asia Minor. Tarsus continued to flourish even after the region became part of the Roman Empire, reaching the height of its prosperity and cultural achievements, including being the birthplace of St. Paul. Mazaios was the satrap, or governor, of Tarsus under the Persians. Famed historian Plutarch described him as “the greatest Persian after Darius.” This remarkable complement indicates that Mazaios might have simultaneously held the post of the Herzaraptis (the commanding officer of the Spearbearer’s Regimen) while serving as satrap.