The Coins of Athens / (Josephine P. Shear)

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HE

JOURNAL
OF

OF

SPERIA
AMERICAN

THE

CLASSICAL

STUDIES

AT

SCHOOL
ATHENS

VOLUME II: NUMBER 2


1933

THE AMERICAN EXCAVATIONS


IN THE

ATH

EN

IAN

AGORA

FIRST REPORT

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

PRESS

MASSACHUSETTS
CAMBRIDGE,

1933
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THE COINS OF ATHENS


Plate VII

The numnber of coins found in the excavation of the Athenian Agora fairly staggers
one.
In ten weeks' excavation, in the season of 1931, 4350 coins were found.
Immediately many problems arise in the mere handling of such enormous numbers.
But since numismatic evidence is indispensable to the excavator, the coins with all their
problems nmust be given the utmost care and attention.
Outside of one gold coin, a French Napoleon of 1854, and a few Athenian silver
pieces, the great mass of coins are bronze which conme out of the damp earth in a
very badly corroded condition. This is true of most coins coming from excavations
and accounts for the distinct lack of numisrnatic records derived from excavating. The
chlorides and nitrates in the soil are the chief corroding agents and convert the
constituents of the bronze into an outer hard green crust, usually so thick that
recognition or identification is almnost impossible. Often the very cor-e of the metal has
been eaten by the corrosion, in which case we have nothing left but a green shell of
copper compounds -covering a soft brittle core, red or brown in color.' The presence
of water merely as moisture in the soil will miineralize the surface of the bronze.2 This
no doubt accounts for the bad corrosion of the Agora coins, since the entire area was
riddled with drains. They seem to be in a worse state than most excavation coins, as
those from Corinth for example.
Since we had such fragile and badly corroded coins to study, it was necessary to
use a method of cleaning that would not only remove the ugly crust, but would
likewise restore or preserve intact what designs and engravings there were on the
coins.
The only safe and satisfactory method to accomplish this result was by
electrolysis.
Though this does away with some of the drudgery of the other methods
and gives us a larger percentage of identifiable coins, nevertheless it requires infinite
time and patience. If the coins are properly cleaned then more than half the battle
is won.
The electrolytic process is described in detail by Colin G. Fink in his article The
Restoration of Ancient Bronzes and Other Alloys published by the Metropolitan Museum
of Art.3 Without any prelimninary cleaning, the coins are wrapped with soft copper
wires constituting the cathode and are completely immersed in a 20!o solution of caustic
I Fink, Colin G. and Eldridge, C. H., The Restoration of Ancient Bronzes and Other Alloys. Published
by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. 1925, pp. 9-10.
2

Fink, op. cit. p. 10.

Fink, op. cit. p. 15.

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JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

232

soda, to which a low amperage direct current is applied. The anodes are sniall platinuma
plates about 6 X 9 centimetres which are hung on either side of the coins. A rectangular
glass battery jar of about four litre capacity is used as a container. Since the electric
circuit in the city of Athens produces 220 volts, alternating current, it is necessary to
use a transformer to change this to direct current and reduce the voltage. The cell is
thus connected in series with a rheostat and a transformier, converting the current to a
direct one of from 2-3 volts, so that 0.4 amperes flow in the circuit. By using four of
these battery jars with from 16 to 20 coins to the jar, we are able to clean from 65 to
80 coins at a time. We have found it mnost satisfactory to leave the coins in this
solution for 48 hours or more, as it takes about that length of tirne for the hydrogen
at the cathode to reduce the crust to finely-divided or spongy copper. The complete
reduction of the crust is indicated by a free evolution of gas at the cathode.' The
coins are then removed and soaked in warm water to eradicate the caustic soda.
The final process of cleaning is that which requires care, patience, and judgment.
In the well-preserved coins the spongy outer suirface readily comes off with a small
blunt metal instrumenit, revealing a hard metal surface beneath, so that it is quite safe
to use a soft brass-wire brush to remove the blackened traces of the oxide layers. The
final polish is given to the good coins with a rotary brush, running at slow speed, the
bristles of which are made of very fine brass wire, so soft that not even the skin is
affected when the fingers are held on it in motion.
However, many of the coins are in such an advanced state of corrosion that the
surface will stand only the most gentle brushing with a soft bristle brush. If any
design is to be miade out on a coin it will appear at this time, when the crust has
been softened and the metal compounds in the corrosion reduced back to metal. It is
at this time that the coin should be cleaned as completely as possible, for if the crust
is allowed to harden again, this entire process has been in vain. The constant cleaning
of coins teaches one how much treatment the surface of mal-preserved coins will stand.
Also it is in the cleaning of these poor coins that one realizes the necessity of having
the coins cleaned by one familiar with coin types, for the disappearance of a single
letter or a bit of design may make it totally impossible to identify a coin.
Though all of these 4350 coins have been cleaned during the course of the past year,
as yet they have not all been identified and catalogued, owing to their great numbers,
the slowness of the clhaning process, and the fact that the coins have to remain in
Greece and can be studied there alone. However, the coins of the 1931 season coming
from the excavation of the Royal Stoa and vicinity have been completed, as well as a
goodly proportion of others, and it seemed well worth while to give a short preliminary
survey of the character of these coins.
Though coins from one short season may give a fair indication of what we can
expect in the future, nevertheless from the very nature of the excavation this will be
I

Fink, op. cit. p. 16.

THE C(OINS OF ATHENS

233

but a bare introduction to the numismnatic evidence which this site will produce. Considerable light is thrown on the history of the site, as well as on the trade and foreign
relations of the city of Athens. Moreover, a scientific examination and thorough-going
studv of the coins found in the Athenian Agora will eventually give us a complete
chronology of Athenian coinage. Especially illuminating will be the sequences of the
bronze coins which are found in such quantities and which heretofore have been given
only a limited attention.
The coinage of Athens has always been a subject of the utmost controversy, particularly
the early coins of the late seventh an(d earlv sixth centuries, known as " Wappenmuinzen"
or " heraldic coins." At the present our coins do not warrant a discussion of this question,
as we have but one small example. The scarcity of this type in the Agora may possibly
be explained by the fact that this was not the civic centre until the late sixth century,
but future discoveries may add more of these types to our collection.
These " heraldic coins " testify by their technique and character that they are a
homogeneous group, and I think E. Beule is quite right in saying that either all are
Athenian or none is.t According to Mr. Barclay Head,2 the Athenians until the time of
Solon would have used exclusively foreign money, presumably the "tortoise" of Aegina.3
In the British Mttseum Catalogue of Attica he contends that the Solonian currency consisted
of the Athenian " owls " of the early archaic style, but in his second edition of the Historita
Num)iorum,he retracts that statement and assigns the group of " heraldic " coins, with
the owl to the left, with and without the linear circle, on the obverse and the incuse
square on the reverse, to the Solonian coinage.4
Older numismatists as Abbe Barthelemy, Cousinery at the end of the eighteenth and
beginning of the nineteenth century, then Beule, and others proposed the " heraldic
coins as the early Athenian currency, which more recent savants, including Head, have
I hope
believed themselves authorized to attribute to different cities of Euboea.5
that Professor Seltiman's treatise6 on the subject has done muLch to retrieve the
older position.
Babelon, E., lraitMdes Monnaies Giecques et IRomaines,Ie pattie, Description historique1, p. 700.
B. M. C. (Attica). Introdtuction, p. XIII.
3 Head, Barclay, Iistoria Nutmiorum)?,
2nd edition, p. 366; C. T. Seltmnan,Athens, Its History an.d Coinage
before the Persian Itvasiont, p. 6, note 3. "This misconceptionihas beeii based ulpon a statemen-t of Pol-itx
(Onom. IX 76), who mentions that the ancient coins which the Athenians spoke of as ' fat drachms' were
Aeginetan 'turtles,' but he does not refer to any partictular period, nor does the context show that they
were ever used in Athens at all as regular currency."
It is impossible to tlhink that the Athenians would h-ave deigned to use Aeginetan coinls when the
hostility betweeniAtlhens anidAeginia was of so long standinig after the Aeginetan war (HerodotuisV, 83ff.)
which Ure (Crigin of 4'yrcanny,Appendix C) places before 670 n.C.
4
Seltinan, op. cit. Plate III P54 A48, P56 A48-A,5, also Plate XIV P251 Al99, P252 A200; Svoroiios,
JeaniN., Tresor de la NumiismatiqueGrecqute
d'Athe es, Plate 1, nos. 1-12.
Ancienne, Les Monnmaies
- Babelon, op. cit. p. 700.
'; Seltman, op. cit.
2

234

J-OSEPHINE P. SHEAR

Professor Seltman has proved that a group of coins of Pheidonian standard, consisting
of didrachn-s' with an amphora of "Tyrrhenian" shape2 on the obverse and an incuse
square on the reverse, is the Athenian Pre-Solonian coinage, because of the similarity to
Solonian coins of Attic standard.3 The oil-amphora in which the state's chief export was
carried abroad was a most appropriate symbol for coins used by the Athenian merchants.4
Aristotle tells us that Solon " increased the currency,"5 a measure to relieve the Attic
farmers from the deplorable conditions that resulted from the use of current coin.6
Seltman believes that the coinage was debased to a lighter standard, thus increasing
the bulk of coins.7 A comparison of Pre-Solonian8 and Solonian didrachms9 shows this
difference in weight. In adopting this new system which Seltman contends was already
in use in Corinth, borrowed by her from Cyrene,'0 Solon, a great trader in the age of
merchant princes, hoped to open the way to the world markets and to prosperity for
Athens. 1
The oil-amphora was even more appropriate to the currency of Solon, for Plutarch12
tells us that Solon allowed oil alone to be sold abroad, and forbade the exportation of
all other products. The amphora now became a civic badge, for Solon saw the need to
imbue the Athenian people with a civic sense. Thus he raised the coin type of the
amphora to a civic dignity by presenting it in the guise of a coat-of-arms carved within
the circle of a shield. " The love of heraldry was stronlg in the 6th century, as is
manifest from the prominence given on Black-figured vases to shields and their devices." 13
Mr. Seltman, by his study of punch and anvil dies, has arrived at a most plausible
sequence of devices which are found on these "heraldic coins." lie attributes them all
to the Athenian mint, proving that they are the imoney issued under the regime of the
old Eupatrid famnilies.'4 Every device represented on these coins can be found as a shield
sign on some early Athenian vase. The fam-ily badges of the nobility of Athens served
as a prototype com-mon to both coins and vases,15 and in literature there is ample evidence
At the time of the Athenian oligarchy, the
for the existence of these family emblems.'6
Seltmnan,op. cit. p. 7, ? 5, Plate I P1 A1-P6 A5.
2 l'bese are known to be Athenlian in origin. H. Thliersch, Ty}rhenischeAmtphoren,1899.
3 Seltman, op. cit.,, see p. 7, figure 5.

4 Seltman, op. cit. p. 9.


5 Ath. Pol. 10.
6 Seltman, op. cit. p. 16; Solon, Fraym. 36 (Bergk).
I Seltmani, op. cit. ? 10, pp. 16 -17.
8 Seltman, op. cit. Plate I P1 Al-P
A5.
9 Seltman, op. cit. Plate I P, A6-P9 A7.
1 Seltman, op. cit. pp. 17-18.
1 Seltman, op. cit. p. 16.
12 Plut. Sol. 24; Seltman, op. cit. p. 8.
': Seltman, op. cit. p. 19.
14

Seltman,

'5

I1bid.

op. cit. Introduction,

p. XVIII.

16 Aeschylus, Sept. c. Theb. 387ff. (shield signs); Paus. V, 25, 9; Pltit. Alcib. XVI, 2; Schol. on Aristoph.
Lysistr. 664ff. (ancestral crests upon shields).

THE COINS OF ATHENS

235

Masters of the miiit used their family emblems on the coins, as well as on their shields
which were constantly seen on the streets of Athens.'
After Solon's retirement, the city of Athens was torn by factions, one after the other
seizing the administrative power,2which accounts for the constant changing of coin types
between 590-570 B.C. With the return of the Alemaeonidae to power, the civic badge,
the amphora emblazoned on a shield, was removed to make way for the " three legs"
or triskeles, the device of their clan.3 Since a didrachm with this symbol shares a
punch-die with the last of the Solonian amphorae, this coinage follows directly that of
'Solon and is dated about 590 B.C.4 The devices of the forepart of a horse, the beetle,
and the astragalus follow in rather quick succession5 but, though found as shield
devices on vases, their significance is obscure.6
Subsequently, the appearance of the early cross-bar cart wheel7 as a device leads
Seltinan to suppose a wealthy farmer was in power. The bull8 on the shield recalls
Philochorus' statement that before the "owls" there were coins which had a type of
bull.9 The whole or half horse device'0 is the badge of Peisistratus1L before he had
actually seized the government, says Seltman agreeing with M. Six. This takes us down
to about-570 B.C. when the one lone example of these " heraldic coins " from the Agora
fits into the chronology.
Cf. Thueyd. VI; 58.
Seltinan, op. cit. p. 23.
' Seltman, op. cit. p. 52. Aristophanes Lysistrata and Schol. 664ff.; Seltman, op. cit. p. 21. Fortunately
we know fromnthis passage in Aristophanes that the badge of the Alemaeonidae in the sixth century was
"white legs " (3 legs) which is quite rightly interpreted as the bent "white legs" or "white leg " of the
triskeles.
4 Seltman, op. cit. Plate I
Pq A8 and A7, also p. 22, figure 12.
2

5 Seltman, op. cit. p. 25, figure 14.


6 Seltman, op. cit. p. 26.
7 Seltman, op. cit. Plate I P15 A16. This type of wheel was used for nothing but the country cart, so

that if it is "short hand" for country farmer's cart, then it was no douibt the badge of a wealthy farmer
who held some high office. In 581 n.c. after the Archon Damasias was ejected, we hear of three archons
out of ten being chosen from the agriculturists' party. Seltman, op. cit. pp. 26-27.
8 Seltmarni,
op. cit. p. 28, Plate I P16 A17.
9 Philochorus, in Schol. on Aristophanes Aves 1106.
10 Seltman, op. cit. p. 29, Plate I P17 Al8-Plate II P19 A22. These types belong together, as they
share the same punch die (P17) Plate I Al8 and A1g.
Seltman, op. cit. pp. 30--31. At this time Peisistratus was one of the rising meni in the party of the
"Shore." In 570 B.c. be captured Nisaea, the port of Megara and Salamis, an event which the Athenians
celebrated by an annual ceremony re-enacting the capture of the island. There is a scene where one man
in armour leaps from the ship with a shout of triumph anid runs to the cliff of Sciradion. E. Peterson
(Jahrb. 4. Kf. deutsch. ar?ch. I?nst. XXXII, 1917, p. 137) has identified this ceremony on a R. F. cylix by the
potter Hieron which was found at Vulei (Seltman, op. cit. p. 31, figure 23). Here a grouip of Athenians

ruin forth with gestieculations and shouts; at their head is one man in armourvwho has already reached
the cliff Sciradion and is mounting it. The significant point is that this man bears a shield on which
the device is the forepart of a horse. It is logical to suppose that this figure represents Peisistratuis,
the polemnarchor strategos, since he was responsible for the capture of the island. (VVilarnowitz,Arist. u.
Athenti, p. 267f.). At this time Peisistratus had not yet formed his own party and was a suipporter of
Megacles, son of Alemaeon.

236

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

Throughout the course of the sixth century the great family of the Alcmnaeonidae
played an important role in Athenian affairs and it would be surprising indeed, if this
were not further reflected in the coinage.' We have found the triskeles, the coat-of-arms
of one member of the clan, on the Athenian money about 590 B.C. The triskeles on
these early coins have a well defined central disc. Mr. A. B. Cook2 interprets the various
forms of the triskeles as " zoomorphic transformations of the solar wheel," a point
substantiated by the fact that the triskeles actually revolves around a four-spoke wheel
on a 5th century coin of Aspendus.3 The solar wheel in the form of the lynx-wheel
is most closely connected with the temple of Apollo at Delphi.4 We know that the
Alemaeonidae were closely allied to the Delphic sanctuary, for it was there they sought
refuge when exiled befo.re 600 B.O., and again in 546 B.C. In fact they actually rebuilt
the fagade of the temple in marble about 514 B.C., as the temple had previously been
destroyed by fire.5
From Apollo then they borrowed the triskeles' other form, thle solar wheel, which
was their alternative symbol.6 It was a natural modification that this magic wheel
should become a simple chariot wheel.'
I am stressing this wheel type of coin8 because the one example of these "heraldic"
coins found in the Agora is this early wheel type.
R Obol -

Size 9 mm. Weight 0.70 gr. Athens ca. 572 ('or earlier) to 561 B.C. Seltman.
Ob. Alemaeonid wheel. Four-spoked wheel with hub, stays spring from each spoke curviing
outward to meet the rim.
Re. Shallow incuse square.
Reference: Seltman, p. 36. P1. IV, , $.
Svoronos, PI. 1, nos. 60 and 61. (datos Epoch before Solon).

The wheel had a two-fold symbolism for the Alemaeonidae: first, it was sacred to
Apollo; and second, it was merely short hand for chariot.9 These coins with the wheel,
according to MI.Six'0 were struck in 592 B.C. in order to celebrate the victory of the
chariot race, won for the first time by an Athenian at Olympia. This Athenian was
Seltman, op. cit. p. 33.
ZeUs I, p. 309; Baldwin, Agnes, (Brett), Symbolism ont Gqeek Coins, p. 104. She interpretes the
triskeles as the symbol of solar worship. Since Apollo was the Suin God, it wouild natuirally be connected
with his worship.
3 Seltman, op. cit. p. 33 and figture 25 reproduced from Zeus I, p. 305, figure 235.
4 Cook, Zeus I, p. 258ff. If the lynx-wheel is a representation of the suniiit is reasonable to expect
its connection with Apollo.
5 In 548 B.C.
B Seltman,
op. cit. p. 34.
Seltman, op. cit. p. 35. The modification is not confiniedto coinage, for the sacred temnplewheel of
Delplhi itself is depicted as that of an ordinary wheel. Seltman, op. cit. figuLre26. Cista from Volterra,
reproduicedfrom Cook, Zeus I, p. 260, figure 188.
8 Seltman, op. cit. Plate It P20 A23-P27 A28.
o Seltman, op. cit. p. 35.
10Babelon, TraitMIle partie, Description Historique 1, p. 715.
2

THE COINS OF ATHENS

237

none other than Alemaeon, head of the clan of the powerful family of the Alcinaeonidae
and this victory greatly fortified their position in Athens. Mr. Seltman, however, prefers
to put it later.
This coina-ge *with the device of the older type of chariot wheel was very plentiful,
for it is found on several denominations;' such as didrachms,a drachms,b obols,c and
hemiobols.d Chariot wheels also occur as shield signs on various Attic Black-figured
and early Red-figured vases.2 Both on coins and vases we find two early forms of
strengthening the wheel employed: one has triangular pieces to strengthen the spokes
where they join the rim; the other has curved stays on either side of the spokes, as
on the Agora coin. We know that this last type of strengthened wheel is early for
it is found on chariot wheels of Proto-Attic vases.3
Seltman wishes to attribute the badge of the wheel to Megacles, son of Alemaeon,
and leader of the "Shore" party. The house of Alemaeon was long famous for its love
of racing. It was in honor of Megacles, grandson of the Megacles whose wheel perhaps
is on the coins, that Pindar wrote the seventh Pythian ode.4 Thus the wheel emblem of
Megacles had a dual significance as the symbol sacred to the. Pythian Apollo, and as a
boast of his triumphs in chariot racing.5
When we arrive at the middle of the sixth century we are treading on less uncertain
ground, as far as the coinage of Athens is concerned. At least the coins which now
appear with AL)E clearly stamped on them cannot be attributed to any other city than
Athens, though the question of their dates and mints may still be a question of dispute.
6

Ob. Head of Atlhena r., eye large and

fuill, iris (and some times pupil) indicated; lips thick; ear
large with O earring; hair indicated by lines or dots or both. She wears a close fitting
lhelmet (Athenian) with neck piece and crest, the crest support ornamented with dots
between chevrons; oIi the back of the helmet above neck piece a small volute.
Re. A )E to r. downwards. Owl r., head facing upright, legs close together, tail short, head
large; body plumage of dots, wing plumage of fines or lines and dots. In field above 1.
hanging downwards an olive on stalk between 2 leaves. Inctise square.

Mr. Head says that a highly probable date for the inauguration of this new series
was the event of the first celebration on a grand scale of the great festival of the
Seltman, op. cit. p. 36.

a)
b)
c)
d)
2

Plate
Plate
Plate
Plate

II P20 A23-P27 A28.


IV, d', C.
IV, v, $.
IV, ac.

Seltman, op. cit. p. 35, note 4.

Seltman, op. cit. p. 36, figture 29, reproduced from J. H. S. XXII 1902, Plate III. This fragment
possesses qualities of the Dipylon Style. A fragment of early Attic pottery found in the Agora in 1932
also has a similar wheel.
4 Seltman, op. cit. p. 36. Pyth. VIII 13-16.
" Victories at the Isthmus five, and one famous victory at
the Olympian festival of Zeus, and two from Cirrha, won by yourself, Megacles, and by your ancestors."
5

Seltman, op. cit. p. 36.

" Seltman, op. cit. Catalogue p. 159, Plate II A31 P31-Plate III A45 P51.

238

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

Panathenaic gamxesin the summer of 566 B.C.1 This was in the archonship of Hippocleides
of the deme of Philaidae.2 It has been suggested that Peisistratus leader of the third
party, though still a private citizen, inspired the idea of this festival.3 This is probable,
but what is even more certain is that it was only the discernment of a Peisistratus that
could have inspired this new coinage which was destined to stamup the coins of Athens
for many generations.
The older numismatists and Beul6 assert that this type was created by Peisistratus.4
M. de Fritze in 1897 and Lerniann in 1900, followed by Babelon, reassert this contention,
and, I believe, the weight of opinion at present would support this dating for the creation
of this new coin type.
It is possible that Peisistratus started to coin money before he gained the throne,5
for he realized that he could only maintain power through the amassing of a large
fortune. Presumnably he worked the silver mines at Laurium which lay near his estate
at Brauron6 and there is ample evidence that these mines were worked before the
middle of the 6th century.7 His power rested not only on his great wealth, but also,
on his reputation as a soldier, on his engaging personality, and on his generous nature.8
In addition he had been given the protection of a private guard when his life had been
threatened.9
His desire was that his money should not only gain popular favor with the Athenians,
but also be held in high esteem abroad. To achieve the first, he appealed to the national
consciousness of the people through their zealous worship of Athena stimulated by the
creation of the greater Panathenaia. Thus he sealed his coins with the head of Athena,
a badge that was the pride of every Athenian. In order to command its acceptance
abroad, he doubled the weight of the older standard coin by creating the handsome
tetradrachm, which became the Athenian silver stater.10
This was the first mnoney to be issued with a clear type on both obverse and reverse
and among the earliest coins to have the human head depicted." The use of the initial
letters *of the city's name was also an innovation in ancient mint practice.
On these

Head, Barclay, Historia Nuniorum, 1911, p. 369.


Seltman, op. cit. p. 37.

Seltman, op. cit. p. 37, note 3.

Babelon, Traite'iop. cit. p. 725.


Seltman, op. cit. p. 40.
Seltman, op. cit. p. 39.

Ure,

Origin

of lTyranny7

G. v. Brauchitsch,

Die Panath. Preisamphoren, 1910, p. 77.

p. 46ff.

Seltman, op. cit. p. 40.


Herodotus 1, 59; Aristotle, Ath. Poi. 14, 1.
10 Seltman, op. cit. p. 40.
" Seltman, op. cit. p. 41.

Babelon, TraiU, op. cit. pp. 726-727. This type of Athenian coin would have
been an anachronism before the middle of the sixtll centtury, for it is not until this time that the reverse
incuse squares were replaced by a type on any of the coins of the Greek world. Also the use of human
or divine heads as coin types only began to be used at this period. Seltman, op. cit. p. 41, note 3. There
are only two or three heads on coins that can be cited as older than the Athenian heads.

THE COINS OF ATHENS

239

earliest coins from the " Imperial " mint of Peisistratus, the heads of Athena were crude
indeed, but no more so than other examples of contemporary Attic Art.' The earliest
owl of the reverse type is likewise a quaint bird.2 Little did Peisistratus realize how
long these types were to be perpetuated on the coinage of Athens.
At first Peisistratus did not intend to have his coilns displace the older Eupatrid
coinage, but merely to take their place beside it.' Impressive as these new coins were
they did not greatly affect the market at first. The old Eupatrid mint of his rivals
with its conservative traditions was to have about fifteen more years of active life.4
There now appear coins with the shield devices5 of Athens'6 owl and the gorgoneion,7
both civic badges, as well as the personal badges of the Eupatrids with the type of
wheel8 and with the bull's head.9
For a number of years Peisistratus' career suffered many vicissitudes, but finally in
546 B.C. he firmly and triumphantly established his tyranny. Henceforth "owls" alone
were to be the coins of Athens.'0 Peisistratus issued mnoney continuously and in great
abundance for nineteen years until his death in 527 B.C.; for he now had great resources
at his disposal."1 Through the course of these years the technique and style of the
The heads of Athena now. had all the qualities of the
coinage naturally developed.
6th century Ionian art which a comparison with the Acropolis Korai will bear out.
The heads are small, the profiles delicately drawn and the coiffures show a variety of
fashions. These archaic heads with their cheerful smile have a characteristic charm of
their own.'2 The character of the owl, too, chaniges gradually and the bird becomes
rather a half-fledged owlet with long legs, big claws and disproportionately large head.13
Hippias at first carried on the policy of his father, but unlike his father favored the
art of the Dorians. This Dorising tendency changed the character of the Athena heads
1

Seltman, op. cit. p. 41. Babelon, Traite, op. cit. p. 725. If these early Athena heads be compared to
the contemporary art of Athens, it is very nioticeable that they reflect the characteristics of the early
Attic School of sculpture which was an autochthonous developmnentbefore it acquired any of the influiences
of the Ionic School. However, the coins of but a slightly later period begin to reflect the gradually
developing Ionic characteristics.
2 Seltmani op. cit. p. 43.
3 S2eitman, op. cit. p. 41.

SeltmaD, op. cit. p. 44.


Seltman, op. cit. p. 49.
6 Seltman, op. cit. Plate 11I P54 A48--P56 A48 and A50.
7 Seltman, op. cit. Plate IV P60 A54-P67 A61.
8 Seltman, op. cit. Plate III P52 A4,-P55 A47; Plate IV A52, A53, A59.
9 Seltman, op. cit. Plate III A4s; Plate IV A51, A58.
10 Seltman, op. cit. p. 57.
Seltman, op. cit. p. 61, also pp. 54-55. Duriing the ten years that Peisistratus was retired from Athens
l
(556-546 B.C.) he was in the Pangaion district where lie was amassing money from the wealthy silver
mines of Mt. Pangaion, in order to regain the throne which he had lost. For this Paeoniian issue of coiiis
see Seltman, op. cit. Chapter VIII and Plates V, VI, and VII.
12 Seltman, op. cit. p. 62.
4

13 Seltman,

op. cit. p. 63.

240

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

on the coins which now became distinctively larger and devoid of that cheerful archaic
smile. The owls assume more moderate proportions and display marked improvement
in detail.'
My purpose in discussing these 6th century " owl " coins of Athens, though our
Agora coins of 1931 show none of these specimens, is to show the development of the
type and account for the various elements in the composition. The coinage of Hippias
is quite distinctive and one group2 of his coins, which is probably a Panathenaic issue,
is quite superior in technique and style, but the unique and unusual elements3 do not
become permanent in the coin types of Athenian currency.
The Persian war could not have failed to leave its imprint on Athenian coinage.
The amazing victory of Marathon was commemorated on the coinage by the addition
of first four and then three upright olive leaves on Athena's helmet and these remained
a part of the design until after the age of Alexander.4 The tiny waning moon, now
appearing for the first time upon the coins, must also be a reference to this memorable
date in Athenian history. The battle of Marathon was fought when the moon was past
the full and a few days later was due the celebration of the greater Panathenaia when
the moon was in its third quarter.' Marathon was specifically an Athenian victory, so
that it is right to expect new elements on her coinage to mark this event which was
so impressed on the average Athenian mind. Thus these coins can be dated with
exactitude.'
After the advent of the Persian wars, the development of the technical execution
and the acquisition of the elements of the composition on the Athenian tetradrachm
Seltman, op. cit. p. 64.
Seltman, op. cit. Chapter X, Plates XIII and XIV. GrouLpH.
3 Seltman, op. cit. pp. 72-74, ? 55.
They are superior in technique and style to the types which had
preceded them; they are more carefully struck, since the crests are more carefully preserved on the flans;
they have an elaboration of detail, for 2 coins in tlheBritish Muiseumhave the helmet adorned with a tall
crest support raising the crest above the bowl of the helmet and the aegis is adorned with serpents which
rise on Athena's shoulders (Plate XIV Al298); they have more realism, for the owls are more like living
birds. A peculiarity confined to this group of coins is the owl sometimes turned to the left rather than
the right (Plate XIII P 233, P234, P235, P236, P237 an-d P245). And on three dies whiellbear the owl left, there
is behind the bird's head, instead of the usual olive twig, a crescent mnoonwitlh its horns tu-rned up
(Plate XIII P233-P235). The olive twig too has various ehanges: on some coins the twig sprouts from the
ground (Plate XIII P239-P240, and Plate XIV P250); and on others it is a branch, instead of a twig, with
3 berries and 4 leaves (Plate XIII P246, P247,and Plate XIV P248). The legend too is placed in various
positions depending on the disposition of the twig, and on somie dies we find Ea instead of 0) (Plate XIII
P236, P237, P243, and Plate XIV P2,49). This whole groupis distinguishedfrom the Peisistratidissues in one
particular; that is, the coins have been struck on broad, thinnish flans and have flat bevelled edges arotund
the reverse designs (Seltman, op. cit. p. 75).
4 Seltman, op. cit. p. 103.
5 Seltman, op. cit. p. 103, and note 3. Also Head, Historia Nurmorum,p. 370. Even if one should fail
to accept the fact that the greater Panathenaia followed the battle of Marathon, we remember that the
Spartans could not leave Lacedaemon until after theJfull mooin and they arrived on the battle-field in
time to view the dead.
'3 Seltman, op. cit. pp. 103-104.
1

THE COINS OF ATHENS

241

were complete. Its character was destined to remain unaltered for an unprecedented
length of time. With the growth of the Athenian Empire in the fifth century, the
money of Athens became an international currency,' for it had soon taken root and
gained a wide commercial vogue. It was the commercial convenience that caused the
money of Athens to become fixed and stereotyped.'
The great mass of 5th century Athenian coinage was silver3 and the beautiful
tetradrachms had a wide circulation throughout the Aegean, but the small denominations
served merely as local small change.4 The coins from the Agora excavation of 1931
were entirely of this latter variety, but since they are neither wholly representative of
5th century Athenian currency, nor an index to the coins from this period that will
come from this area, I wish to supplement this group and also the 4th century silver
with a few of the silver pieces of the 1932 finds that have already been studied, not
for the purpose of augmenting the numbers, for there are only a few, but to fill in
some of the gaps of the missing denomiinations. In this discussion I shall specify the
1931 and 1932 finds.
In order to differentiate the chronological periods of these Athenian coin types,
both on the larger and smaller denominations, one must pay great attention to the
execution by which it is possible to detect minute changes of style. The drawing of
the eye and the technical skill and delicacy of the die-engraver are usually clues as to
the date of the coin. However, it is wrong, I believe, to carry this too far, for one
must allow for the differences in skill and technical peculiarities of the various dieengravers. Svoronos's arrangement of the coins according to " coiffures" is erroneous.
I well appreciate the valuable evidence that is derived from arranging coins according
to die sequences, but this, of course, is only of value when one has enough coins to

permit of such an arrangement. This will come with the final publication of all the
coiins from the Agora when the numbers are such as to make such a study worthwhile.

The earliest 5th century coin fronmthe Agora in 1931 was:


A. 1. ARObol - Size 10 mm. Weight 0.70 gr.
Ob. Head of Athena r., eye fuLll,features well proportioned, round earring, hair indicated by
lines. Close-fitting Athenian helmet crested, two upright olive leaves above forehead.
Crest row of dots atndhorse hair of plume indicated.
Re. AOE to r. downward. Owl r., head facing, well proportioned, plump and upright, one leaf
behind owl. Incuse square.
References: Cf. B. M. C. (Attica), P1. IV, no. 11, p. 10,nos. 96--11l, dates 527-430 B.C.; cf. Svoronos, P1. 8,
nos. 40-47, dates Epoch of Cimon, ca. 471-464 B.C.

I see no reason to doubt this dating of Svoronos, for the eye is purely archaic,-a full
eye set absolutely horizontally in the face with both corners visible and the arch of the
1

B. M. C. (Attica). Introduction, p. XXII, ? 2.


Gardner, Percy, History of Ancient Coinage, p. 223.
" Gardner, op. cit. p. 222.
4 Gardner, op. cit. p. 226.
2

242

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

upper lid exactly above the centre of the eve. The workmnanshipis delicate and
refined and characteristic of this period.
Fromna slig,htly later date, probably the Age of Pericles until 431 B.c., we have
several different denominations of coins.
B. L. Al Drachn - Size 14 mm. Weight 4.25 gr. 1932.
Ob. Head of Athenia r., hair waved over forehead with strand over ear.. Close-fitting Athenian
helmet with 3 upright olive leaves, floral scroll over back of bowl. Horse hair crest off
flan, but row of dots visible. Dotted truncation.
Re. AO-Eto r. donwnward. Owl r., head facing, thin trianguilar body, head a little large, Ino
waning moon; in field 1. olive on stalk between 2 leaves, downward leaf longer. Incuse
square.

References: Cf. Svoronos, P1. 10, nos. 19-27, dates Periclean Age to 431 n.c.; cf. B. M. C. (Attica), P1. IV,
nos. a and 6, P. 9, nos. 74-81, dates 027-430 B.c. or later.

A slight difference in the rendering of the eye explains the later date. It is still a full
archaic eye with both corners visible, but the arch of the upper lid has now shifted
slimhtly to the ric0ht, a little nearer the nose. Also the eye now is not set exactly
horizontally, but is slightly upturned at the inner corner, breakinm the rigid effect of
straightness. These samnecharacteristics apply to the other coins dated at this specific
time. A coin of another denomination shows a verv simnilarhead.
B. 2. A
Ob.
Re. A
3 0

Triobol - Size 13 mm. Weight 2.00 yr. 1931.


Head of Athena r., arelhaic style (same as B. 1).
Incuse circle within which owl facing, legs apart, tail hanging between tlhem; wings closed,
body plumage of dots, wing plnmage lines. Hanging over the head of the owl on either
side olive branch with four leaves and a berry. Letters in trianguilar distribution.
References: Svoronos, P1. 10, nos. 28-30, dates Perielean Age to 431 i.c.; B. M. C. (Attica), p. 9, nos. 82-89,
P1. IV, nos. 7 anid 8, dates 527-430 B.e. or later.

The fine delicacy of stvle and the precision of rendering warrant this date. From the
Persian wars until ca. 431 s.c. we find a comparatively uniform tvpe on all the denominations in use; that is, the tetradrachm, the drachm, the obol, and the hemiobol all
use the owl turned to the r., head facin, except the four little tetartemoria with
olive sprays on the reverse (Svoronos, P1. IX, nos. 52-59). The details of the other
denominations vary slightly, as the olive spray and the omission of the waning moon
on the small denominations. It is probably the necessity of issuing other fractional
denominations that caused the adoption of additional types to differentiate them.
In B. 2 we see the reverse type has changed, but it is onlv on these coins of small
denominations that we find this occurs; they no doubt varied the types slightly to
indicate the value.1 As there is certainly not much appreciable difference in size among
the lower denominations of Athenian coins, a difference in tvpe seemed essential. "The
careful discrimination of denominations is characteristic alike of the love of the
I

Gardner, op. cit. p. 224.

243

THE COINS OF ATHENS

Athenians for their silver coins,-the


yoXaN, 4acvptwutXCa of which Aristophanes speaks
so fonidly in the Bird7s (line 1106), and of the fine perfection of their intellectual
faculties." 1
A still smaller denomination is represented by two herniobols which are similar in
type to the obol of the previous period (A. 1).
Size 6 mm. Weight 0.32 gr. 1931.
Type similar to A. 1.
Reference: Svoronos, P1. 10, cf. nos. 48- 57, dates Perielean
B. 3. A

B. 4. A

Hemniobol-

Age to 431

.c.

- Size 8 )mn. IVeig1t 0.40gr. 1931.


Jfemniobol

Type simnilar to A. 1.
Reference: Same lis 1B.3.

The most beautiful coin that has been found in the excavations so far is a silver
tetradrachmn that is still fresh and sharp. It was found lying in a small saucer. The
head of Athena was wroug,ht with the utmost attention to the artistic details; sch as
the delicacy of the elaborate floral scroll of the helmet, the meticulosity of the looped
locks of hair, and the dotted ornamentation at the neck and on the crest, and the
delicate refinement of the features. The owl, too, is well proportioned and realistic and
the plutmage is carefully delineated. The type is so familiar that it is not worth while
to (lescrilbe it.
- Size 24 mm. Weight 16.90gr. 1932.
C. 1. JR Tetraddrachm
Referece:

Svoronos, P1. 12, cf. nlos. 13, 14 and 16, dates in the Peloponnesian
Nicias, 421 B.C.

war to the Peace of

I see lno reasoll to differ with Svoronos on this datino, for I believe this coin belongs
in a class sligfhtly later than B., as it is possible to detect a sli(rht changre in the
development of the eye. The inner corner has beeni still further lifted up until it meets
the hollow formed by the juncture of the brow and the nose. This inner corner thus
falls into partial shadow, so that the actual point is not visible. However, one can still
see plailnly the entire arch of the upper lid. The workmanship, too, substantiates this
date, for it is delicate and precise in all its details and shows no trace of less careful
execuLtion which characterizes the coins of a later period.
An obol of the same type as A. 1. I should also place in this period from 431-421 B.C.,
for it has all the technical characteristics of this tetradrachm in regard to the treatment
of the eye. The owl, too, has become less triangular with a shorter wing, givinog it a
plumper appearance.
C. 2. Al Obol - Size 9 imm. 1TVeight0.70 gr. 1931.
Reference: Cf. Svoronos, PI. 12, nos. 37-42, dates 431-421 1.c.

The closing years of the Peloponnesian war were very tryino ones for Athens. The
prolong,ed perio(i of the war, the failure of her expedition to Sicily, and the defeat at
Gairdner-, op. cit. p. 226.
17

244

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

the naval battle of Notium in


i407 B.c. had completely exhausted her war funds.' In the
archonship of Kallias (406/5 B.C.) the demos voted to turn over the " ex-votos " which
were the precious properties of the gods (the offerings anid temple furnishings) to the
Helleiiotanmiaefor conversion into money to defray the expenses of the war.2 This vote
envisaged all the gold and silver properties of the Attic gods. Unmiintable things were
naturally elimninated; also certain gold and silver objects, such as one of the eight
golden Nikae of Athena Nike, above all the chryselephantine statue of Athena, as well
as various other things. remained inviolate.4 These may have been spared the melting
down pi'ocess not through the will of the demzos,but beeause of the abrupt termination
of the war. The others went into the melting pot, but before gold could be minted in
Athens special dies and anvils had to be made, for the city had never issued gold coins
before.5 The crisis of Arginusae was undoubtedly the occasion for the general expropriation,6 but due to the brief delay caused by the need for new minting apparatus, the
fleet put off in old triremes and not in new constructions and the money was minted
after the departure of the fleet.7
The operation of the minting of the golden Nikae extended at least over two years
(406/5

and 40.5/4 B.C.).8

In January,

405 B.C., the gold currency

was described

as

xat)'O)',

the silver as doQcaor in the F'rogs of Aristophanes.9 In 405/4 B.C. it was a novelty and
was (lisbursed by the Tarnii,e to the practical exclusion of all other money."0 The only
gold coins that have reached us today are the 1/2 stater, thie 1/4 stater, the 1!G stater or
hekte and the 1/12 stater or hemihekte.
On them is the symbol of the laturel branch
which points to their source, the golden Nikae from which the mietal was taken."
By 399/8 B.C. the " dies and little anvils with which the gold was struck " were
already dedicated to Athena"2 and appear in the Opisthodomtis in inventories of the
Treasurers

of the epoch

398/7

B.C.13

I Ferguson, Williar
Scott, The T-reasurers of Atheim, Chapter XV, also pp. 21 and 22. "In. 434 .c.
the system was iniaugturated of creating a public war fullnd from the suripluises of the tribute, cand when iii
4-21-415 B.c. this system bore fruiit, it led not to the auggmenting of Athena's reserve, btht to the accumuiiilation
of a new reserve which could be utilized without borrowing. After 421 n.c. Athen<a's reserve grew by the
addition to it of the net yield of Athena's own revenuies alone."
2 Ferguson,
op. cit. p. 12.
3 The "'karchesion " of Zeuis Polias,
the solitary, gold crown left in the Pronaos, and the gold leaves
from tlle crown of Nike.
4 Ferguisoni, op. cit. pp. 93-94.
5 Ferguson, op. cit p. 86.
Ferguson, ol. cit. p. 94.
7 Ferguson,
op. cit. p. 90.
8 Ferguson,
op. cit. p. 94.
9 Ferguson, op. cit. p. 87. Frogs of Aristophanes, 717 if.
10 Ferguson, op. cit. p. 95.
Newell, E. T., lThe(Coinages of DemizetriusPolio-cetes, p. 133, note 4.
2 Ferguison, op. cit. p. 95.
13 Ferguson, op. cit. pp. 86-87.

THE COINS OF ATHENS

245

These gold coins were, of course, swallowed up for war expenses' and since the
Athenians could not obtain silver from Laurium, because Deceleia was occupied by the
Spartans,2 their onlv recourse was to nmelt down the silver votive objects, but this gave
them only a limited supply. Thus they resorted to bronze as a moniey of necessity.
Moreover, this too was initiated in the year 40a/5 B.C. in the archonship of Kallias,3 and
brolnze coins plated with silver were the result.4 They belong to the same system of
muonetary expedients as the issue of gold coins.5 This was an issue of token money
and it is because it was a debased silver currency6 that it was attacked by Aristophanes.7
To adopt a silver-plated coin at this period of stress seemed a natural expedient in
order to disguise the wretched bronze as much as possible, since it was a great humiliation
to Athenians to have to resort to such a base metal wheni they had so prided themselves
on their silver coins.8
In the Ecclesiaz-usae, Aristophanes narrates how the bronze money of necessity
was cried down in 393 B.C., the Town crier being sent around to proclaim that silver
was once more to be the only legal tender.9 The bronze pieces were struck at the time
of Athens' greatest need and were withdrawn after the victory of Conon at Cnidus.10
Thirteen years seemed a long time for the Athenians to have to accept this makeshift
currenev, so that when it was demonetized, they greatly rejoiced over the return of
their beautiftil silver tetradrachms which they made identical with the older ones. It is
even possible that some of the old dies were still in the mints.
A silver tetradrachm from the Agora I would place in this period after 393 B.C.
D. 1. AR Tetradrachmn - Size 24 mn. Weight 16.60 gr. 1932.
Type same as C. 1.
Reference: Cf. Svoronos, PI. 16, no. 16, dates 403-365 B.C.

2
3

Head, Historia Nitmorumi, 1911S,p. 373.


Thucydides, VII 91. Gardner, History of Ancient Coiniage,p. 231.
Aristophanies, Frogs anid the Schol., 725 ff.

Svoronos, Jean N., Tresor de la NiumismatiqueGrecqueAncienine. Les Moonvaiesd'Athezes, Plate 15,


nos. 12-27. Ferguson, op. cit. p. 88, note 2. "Svoronos (Jour. intern. d'ar-ch.numnismatique,XIV, 1913,
4

pp. 123 ff.) argues that a genuine copper currency had been initroduced in the time of Pericles, on the
initiative of Dionysios, surnamed Chalkos." These minulte bronze pieces ca,lled xc.lkv/3 t (Svoronos, Tresor,
Plate 18) have long been known in Athenis. The types are dissimilar to coin types of the 5th century
and seem to have many of the characteristics of the tesserae (Svoronos, Trisor, Plates 100-102).
A ntuinber
of these small pieces were found in the Agora excavations, but they had been rubbed so smooth that their
types could not be identified.
5 Fergusoni, op. cit. p. 88.
rrwo of these silver-plated bronze coins were found in the Agora excavations
on May 9, 1933.
G Ferguison, op. cit. p. 88, note 2.
Aristophanes and Sehol. Ecclesiaz2usae, 815 f. and Fr9-ogs,725.
8 Gardner, op. cit. p. 222.
In Aristophanes' IFrogs, 730, he speaks in the most gloWing terms of tlle
Athenian coins and their great vogue.
He refers to them as not alloyed, as the most beauitifuil coins, in
fact the only onies rightly struck and ringing truly, and as accepted among Greeks and barbarians alike.
9 Head, I-Iistoria Nutmorum, p. 373. Aristophanes, Elcclesia2zutsae,819.
? Gardnel, op. cit. p. 295.
17*

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

246

The most noticeable change that has come in these fourth century coins is the lack of
delicacy and fineness of execution. The type by now is irretrievably conventionalized.
Moreover, we see another gradual development in the rendering of the eye which was
first apparent on the gold coins. About one quarter of the eye from the inner corner
is now in shadow; however, the eye has not yet begun to recede under the brow as it
does later. The development is now approximatelv half way between the archaic full
eye and the later profile eye. Other details that strike one are: the 'heaviness of the
features, the coarse locks of hair, and the stiffness of the olive leaves. The owl, too,
has a more shaggy appearance.
I started out in this paper by saying that the great mass of coins found in the
Agora were bronze and yet up to this point I have discussed nothing but silver. To
fix a date in the fourth century when a regular issue of bronze money was introduced
is puzzling. Julius Pollux' mentions bronze coins in use in the time of Philemon, that
is the age of Alexander. They seem to have varied in value from three quarters of an
obol (six chalci) to a single chalcus.2 I believe that the earliest bronze coins found in
the Agora belong to this period, though whether they represent the first bronze issue
or not it is impossible to determine. The coins of this group have the head of Athena
in a Corinthian helmet on the obverse, and an owl, with or without a wreath of wheat
They themselves testify to their date in the Alexandrian
or olive, on the reverse.
period after 339 B.C. and probably were in use until ca. 288 B.C. The head of Athenla
wearing a Corinthian helmet occurred on the gold coins of Alexander, a type that was
further adopted by Philip III, Antigonos, and Demetrius Poliorcetes. It would be most
curious not to find the Athenian coinage influenced by the coin types of their Ma-cedonian
suzerains. The introduction of symbols on some of the later coins of this groutp likewise
reflects the influence of Macedonian coins on which symbols were very frequently used.
This grouip consists of:
Group E
Rereise
Owl to r., with 2 olive branchbeson
either side.
A In triangular arrangement around
0 E owl.
Svoronos, P1. 22, nos. 62 and 63; not in B. M. C.

Obverse
Head
of Athena r., wearing crested
I.
Corintlhianlhelmet,

II. Same.

A Owl with closed wings to r., within


0 wheat wreath.

Svoronos, P1. 22, nos. 64-70; B. M. C., p. 22, nos. 229-235, P1. 71, no. 8.
I
2

Onom. IXN 65.


Gardner, op. ctt. pp. 295-297.

Specimen
3

6
2 others probable
but not certain.

THE COINS OF ATHENS


Obrverse
III. Same.

Reverse
A Owl r., with closed wings. Behind
0 owl, branch.
Svoronios, P1. 22, nos. 71-72; not in B.M. C.

IV a. Same.

Owl r., closed wings.


A In field right, cornucopia?
0 E
Svoronos, P1. 22, nos. 73-74; B. M. C., p. 22, nio.239, Pl. VI, no. 10.

IVb. Same.

A In field r., kalatlhos.


E

247
Specinmen
2

Svoronos, P1. 22, no. 75; not in B. M. C.


IV c. Sarne.

IVd. Samne.

A In field r., wreath.


<3E
Svoroinos, P1. 22, nos. 76 and 77; B. M. C., p. 22, nos. 236-238, P1. VI, no. 9.
A In field r., spear of wheat.
0E
Svoronos, P1. 22, nos. 78 and 79; not in B. M. C.
A Owlto-r.
0 E Symbol to r., illegible.

Same.

IVe.

Svoronos, P1. 22, nos. 73 anid 79.


V. Same.

Owl r., with closed wings, in olive

A
0

9
3 otliers probable
but not certain.

wxreath.

H
Svoroiios, P1. 22, nlos. 80--84; not in B. M. C.

VI. Same helnmet,but adorned with serpent.

A Owl I., in olive wreath.

H
Svoronos, P1. 22, nos. 85-88; B. M. C., p. 22, nos. 240-244, P1. VI, no. 11.

It is barely possible that the wreath of wheat and the adjacent symbols as the cornucopia,
the kalatlhos, the wreatlh, anidthe spears of wheat are connected with the Eleusinian Mysteries.
To the late fourth century, the perio(d of Alexander and his successors, belongs also
a silver tetradrachm which possesses all the qualities of the late " owl " coinage.
F. 1. IR

etradrachin - Size 21 mnm. Wleight16.20 gr. 1932.


Type similar to earlier ones.

Reference: Svoronos, cf. P1. 20.

The semblance of archaism is now only a delusion, for the eye is now rendered in profile.
This treatment, howe ver, was apparent on the tetradrachms of Philip' (.359-336 B.c.) and
from that timne on we find the die engraver trying to free himself from the conditions
imposed upon him of adhering to old familiar types. He has tried to modernize the
fixed hieratic type which he was set to copy andl ventures small innovations in the
I

Svoronos, TrH
sor, Plate 19.

248

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

features of the goddess without departing from the general outlines of the older type.'
Trle worknmanship is coarse and careless in every respect and the die is most poorly
adjusted to the very irregular flan. The features are less archaic to be sure, but there
is a sharpness and stiffness about the execution that is striking and it is totally lackingin the subtle charm that characterizes the earlier archaic types. The owl has suffered
sorely and is now lno m(ore than a frightful caricature of a bird with a huge head,
poorly proportiolned body, and speckled ruffled plumage. The little waning moon which
used to be tucked neatly in at the neck of the owl, has now wandered half way down
the back.
By comparing this coin with the gold coins of the second issue which were struck
at the beginning of the 3rd century, we can readily see that the details of style are
sirnilar. Thus our silver tetradrachm belongs to a period eitlher just before or just after
296 B.C. I should be inclined to put it before.
At the end of the fourth century Athenian polities were influenced tremendously by
the interference of the foreign, contemporary, great powers who were constantly fighting
against each other. In 301 B.C. the Moderates of Athens grew tired of this and took the
governmnent into their own hands.2 Lachares, of unknown deme and parentage, being
the most energetic of them became their leader.3 Constitutional changes to disarm the
demos were necessary to ensure their dcomination.4 Dissatisfaction with these changes
and dissensions among the governing faction brou(ght civil war in Athens in 296 B.C.5
Demuetrius Polioreetes, then general of the AMacedonian forces, caine to Athens to quell
this sedition. Lachares, strengthening his position and crushing out his opponents within
the city, luade himself dictator of Athens. Demetrius concentrated his forces not to lay
siege to the city, but to starve it out. Conditiolns within the city were acute, provisions
ran short, and the money gave out in the public chests.6 The treasurers of the city
were forced to hand over on Lachares' orders " the golden Nikae and shields and the
gold plates from the chryselephantine statue of Athena " to pay the mercenaries whom
" the tyrant " kept in his service and who helped him defend Athens against Demetrius
Polioreetes in 296/5 B.C. (Pap. Oxy. XVII, 2082; Class. Phiil, 1929, pp. 1 ff.). The
expropriation of the " ex-votos " on the Acropolis was mluch more complete than that
of 406/4 B.C.7
This melting down resulted in the second issue of gold coins wliieh are always the
storm signals of Athenian finance and caine as a result of financial exhaustion.8 This

Ilistoi-ia Ntmorutm, 1911, p. 374.


Ferguson, W. S., Ilellenistic Athens, p. 125.
3Ferguson,
op. cit. pp. 130-131.
4Ferguson,
op. cit. pp. 129-130.
5 Fergusoin,
op. cit. p. 132.
6 Ferguson,
op. cit. p. 133.
7FerguLson,
TI'le Treasurers of Atheta, p. 126.
8
Feiguson, Hellenistic Athens, p. 448.

IHead,
2

249

THE COINS OF ATHENS

issue consisted of three denoiminations: the stater-, 1/4 stater, anld '/,; stater.' They bear
the kalathos, symbol of their origin, from the sacrificial golden baskets carried on the
heads of the maidens in the processions.2
I shall take a moment to describe the character of these coins for they serve as
criteria of dating for other coins. On the obverse is the head of Athena, right, of fine
The tvpe is similar to that of the
style (eye in profile), btut of rough execution.
tetradrachmis on the earlier coinage. There is a sharpness and staccato quality to the
technique which makes the details of the ornaments strike one above all else on the die.
The owl on the reverse is a very dishevelled creature with the large ruff of plumage
around the head inade by very coarse and rigid radiating lines. The bodv plumage has
a most speckled aspect with a short stubby tail, looking as if it had been clipped. He
certainly is a very poor frightened looking bird. In the field to the right is the new
The waning moon is now half way down the owl's back,
symbol of the kalathos.
in
the earlier coins.
instead of at the neck as
From this time on there is an abundant use of bronze coins which the quantity
found in the Agora will verify. Contemuporary with the 2nd issue of gold coins are the
bronze coins with the double-bodied owl on the reverse.

Group G
Reveqse

Obrerse
1. Head of Athena r., wearing close fittinig
crested hellmlet; 3 upright olive leaves
in front, floral scroll behiind. Hair
formed by vertical lines.
Svoronos,

A Douible bo(lied owl, lbead facing.


0 E Above on eitlher side an olive
spi'ay.

Specimens
2

P1. 22, nos. 44-46.

'2. Same.

A Salne.
a,

Svoronos, P1. 22, cf. no. 43.


3. Same.

A Samne.
O E Beneath kalathos.

3
5 otlhers probable
but not certain.

Svoronos, P1. 22, llos. 3.5-42, 47, 48; B. AM.C. p. 21, nos. 221.--223.

The treatmnent of the hair is very sinmilar to that on the small denominations of the
The shaggy and careless
gold coinage, as well as the sharpness of the execution.
treatment of the plum-age of the owl also suggests the gold coillage.
Deinetrius Poliorcetes had always retained a considerable band of followers in Athens
since 307 B.C. when he had liberate(I the city from the demnocracy of Demetrius of

1
2

Svoronos, TrHsor, P]ate 21, nos. 1---22.


Newell, E. T., 1'he Coiniagesof Demetrius I'oliorcetes, p. 133, note 4.

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

250

Phaleron.' The Athenians had even given him the title of king and deified him in
Athens.2 So that when Demetrius defeated Lachares in 294 B.C., the city opened its
gates to Demetrius and expected mercy at his hands.3 They had expected freedom and
autonomy, but the garrison on the Museum Hill belied this fact.
Undoubtedly, Athens still maintained her immemorial right to coin local money.
Dernetrius had always treated that proud and wayward city with the utmost leniency
and showed the constant desire to remain in her good graces, even under most severe
aggravations. He may have retained garrisons on the Museum and Munychia but that
gives no one ground to assert that the city was deprived of the privilege of coining
money. The fact that Athenian tetradrachms similar in type and fabric to the gold
coins have been found in a number of hoards buried throughout the course of the third
century gives us every reason to suppose that the old " owl " coinage continued even
though the city fell to Demetrius in 294 n.C.4
Some time after this date, however, we do find some outside influence at work on
the types of Athenian coinage. The flans have become slightly larger and the fabric is
not as heavy and thick as on the older "owl" coinage. The designs are more carefully
struck to fit the flan. But the most noticeable difference is in the type of helmet. It
is not entirely new but new details have come in. The changes of course are gradual.
The band on the front of the helmet now becomes more and more like a visor and on
many coins the round hinge above the ear is clearly defined. At first the olive leaxes
are still represented, but later we find they have disappeared. Also the bowl becomes
larger and rounder and is set further down on the brow, showing less and less hair,
and soon it, too, is hidden beneath the helmet. The guard at the back of the neck is
longer and more emphasized and the decoration at the back of the bowl has changed
from the old elaborate scroll to the aplustre. Whether this is just the normal change
that has come into the type of Attic helmet in the third century I have not yet
been able to determine, but it may be a type derived from foreign coin types at this period.
A silver tetrobol from the Agora in 1931 shows the transitional qualities between
the early Attic helmets of the fifth and fourth century tetradrachms and the fully
developed late type of Attic helmet. There are no longer any lingering traces of
archaism. There seems to be some new influence directing the die-engraver's art. He is
using a new model and the result is a delicately executed head rendered with great
precision of detail. It is most pleasing and, indeed, rather unexpected. The owls, too,
which adorn the reverse have now lost all the caricature qualities that belonged to their
immediate predecessors. On this Agora coin there is a charming pair of little owlets
carefully rendered with much more normal proportions.
I

Ferguson, Hellenistic Athens, p. 63.


Ferguson, op. cit. pp. 107-108.
3 F'erguson, op. cit. pp. 134-13.5.
4 Newvell,op. cit. pp. 133--134. I take this opportunity of expressing my sincere tlhaniksto Mr. NewTell
for his most helpftul suggestions and kind assistance.
2

251

THE COINS OF ATHENS


H. 1. AR [etrobol -

Weight 2.51 gr. 1931.


Ob. Ihead of Athena r., wearing crested Attic helmet witlh large hiigh bowvl; narrow lhorse-hair
crest swveeps over the bowl and ends in simple curved str.alnd in back of neck. Helinet
lhas visor made of two niar-row banids whichl project from folelheac1, hingged over the ear,
and adorned in front by three dart-shaped olive leaves. Short neclk guiard. IHalir does not
slhow niiader lhelm-net,buit lhangs in loose locks in back. Wears earrilng aiid necklace.
Size 14 ?m.

A In triangular arrangement around two owls tuirniedtoward eaclh otlher. WVellproportioned


0 E small heads, triangtular slhaped bodies, body plumage imade of dots.

Re.

Reference: Svoronos, P1. 23, cf. no. 45.

We find bronze coins of Demnetrius Poliorcetes' with somewhat similar helmets which
Newell says possess strong- stylistic affinities with an Athena head fotund on certain
AMr.
bronze coins of Lysimachus.2 However, it is riot usual to find types on bronze coins
influencing the types on silver coins, for the bronze coins had a more limited circulation.
But the clhange in the style of helmet both on the bronze anid silver coins of Athens is
now definitely apparent and also the utse of adjunct symbols on the reverse becomes the
rule. The following coins fromnthe Agora belongr to this group.
Group H'
Obverse
1. Head of Athena r., wearinig close fittinig
late Attic lhelmet witlh clheek pieces
raised,

triangular

visor

witlh

Reverse
A 0 Ovl I., vitlh closed wings, in a
E wreatlh? In field I., amphora.

Specimens

A Owl facing, wvingsclosed, on eitler


0 H side a*, beneatlh sp)ear of wlheat;
the whole in olive wreatlh.

biinge

set dowvn on forelhea,id with no hair


sho1Wing. Long neck guard.
Svoroonos, P1'.22, nios. 89-92.
2. Head of Atllena 1., wearing close fittinig
late Attic lielmet with clheek pieces
raised. Visor downl on forehead. Crest
made of lines falls to nape of neck.
Svoroiios,

P1'.22, nos. 93-98

B. M. C. nio. 220, '1l. vr, no. 5.

(calls barbarots);

3. H-lea(l of Atlhena r., wvearing crested


Corinthian lhel-met.

rA
[

Owl towards r., head facing,


EJ closed wings, on thulnderbolt.

Owl to r., lhead facing, closed winig


t,s,

Svoronos, P1. 23, no. 46.


4. Head of Athena
late

Attic

vearinig close fittinig

r.. wvith hin-lged


heliimet

visor',

OE oni tlhunderbolt.

set low on forelheaid. Crested. Lonig


neck guard; onl bowl behind aplustre.
Svoronlos,

P1. 23, nos. 47-49.

5. Same.

Saimie. In field r., cicade.

Not in Svoroinos or 13. M. C., cf. P1. 23. Svoron1os, olos. 47-49
has no cicade in field.

for oNvl on thuinderbolt, but this example

Newel], op. cit. Plate XVII,

Newell, op. cit. p. 160; cf. L. Altiller, Die libnzen des [Tihr-cakischeit
K&nzigsLysimachus, nos. 61-63,

71-84,

113, and 31-9.

nios..1-5,16, and 17.

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

252
Obverse
6. Sanle.

Reverse

Specimens

A
Owl to r., witlh elosed wings, head
OE facing, oIn prow of ship.

Svoronos, P1. 23, nio. 51.


7. Same.

r A1

Tro

1
1 probable but not
certain.

owls facing.

Le E]

Svoronos, P1. 24, nos. 29-31.


8. Same.

A 0 Between 2 owls in wreath


kerchnos between tlhem.

with

AOE Beneath 2 owls in wreath with


kalathos between them.

Svoronos, P1. 21, llos. 34-40.


9. Samne.
SVoro11os, P1. 24, nos. 42-50.

10. Same.
Svoronos, P1. 24, nos. 51-59.

AO Between 2 owls in wreath.

3
1 probable buit not
certain.

That this group of coins belongs in the third century is evident by their transitional
character from the old " owl " coinage to the New Style, but just where in the third
century they belong is not so readily determined. Svoronos I has assigned them to the
period between the rule of Antigonos Gonatas and the alliance with the Romans 255-229 B.C.
That presupposes that the coinage of Athens did not terminate with the close of the
It seeMs
Chremonidean war when Antigonos Gonatas subdued Athens in 261 B.C.
necessary, in order to determine this point, to look ahead to the Athenian coinage of
the New Style which was introduced in 229 D.C. by Eurycleides and Micion. The
adoption of radically new types with the definite abandonment of the conservative
tvpes of the " owl " coins seems obviously to show that considerable time had elapsed
between the cessation of the old "owl" coinage and those of the New Style. Ferguson2
says that Athens lost the right of issuing money when Antigonos Gonatas crtushed
Athens in 261 B.C. I believe it is reasonable to suppose that this was actually the case.
This necessitates, then, our placing this group of coins under discussion before 261 B.C.
It seems best to place them after 289/8 B.C. when Athens revolted from Demetrius
Poliorcetes with the help of Lysimachus who stocked the city with money. After this
date Demetrius no longer vitally influenced the affairs of Athens. His death in 283/2 B.C.
followed by that of Lysimachtis in 281 B3.C. left Antigonos Gonatas, son of Demetrius, to
struggle with the Athenian irritations caused by the curtailment of their liberty by the
Macedonian suzerains. But first Antigonos had to establish his claim to the throne of
Macedon and this took him to Asia Minor, an absence which caused him the loss of his
kingdom of Greece. During this time Athens saw fit to regain her cleruchies in the
Thracian Sea.3
1 Svoi onos,
2
3

l'&sor, Plate 23.


Fergusoni, Hellenistic Athens, p. 184.
Ferguson, op. cit. pp. 144-155.

THE COINS OF ATHENS

253

With i1o foreign intruders clamoring, at her gates, Athens seemed to feel that at last
she had achieved her independence.
Even after Antigonos had ascended to the throne
of Macedon and had re-established his control of Greece. Athen-s was able to arrange
an amicable settlement with him because she had had a general governmental housecleaning, introducing a linmited democracy of imoderate men with peaceful tendencies
in power. This period was a brilliant one in Athens and no doubt these new coins
represent a revival of the spirit of the city because of the preservation of her liberty.
This general amnesty lasted until the Chremonidean war which was instigated in 266 B.C.
by Ptolemy Philadelphus who offered assistance in a war of independence against
Macedon, a war which ended in 261 B.C. with Athens entirely at the mercy of Antigonos
Gonatas.'
The personnel of the administration was changed fromntop to bottom.2 We are not
able to say with certainty that the public property, such as the silver mines, was
conifiscated by the Macedonian crown, says Ferguson, but " at any rate Athens lost the
right of issuilng monev and the Macedonian tetradrachms, the so-called Antigonlids, took
the place in Athenian circulation formerly held by the Attic ' owls.' "3
The coins
mentioned in the Inventory of the Asklepieion at Athens as cT6yayttc SzrvFtjov8t,
specimens of which appear amnong, the dedications in the vears B.C. 261/0 256/5,
255/4, and 254/3, are probably those with the head of Pan on the Macedonian
shield.4 They may have been made in an Athenian mint, but belonged to the Macedonian
mnonetary system, which, I believe, the bronze coins of this period help to confirm -This
issue has the kalathos like the Attic bronze money and like the gold coins of the
second issue.5 The change advertised abroad the humiliation of the citv, but it hurt
more than the pride of the people: it was a disastrous blow to the foreign commerce
of Athens, for the integrity of Attic money had given it a wide circulation, and its
general use gave the place of issue an advantage over business rivals. To im-aintain this
circulation the Athenians had preserved with great conservatism the rude processes and
devices of their antique coins. Zeno still contrasts the puirity and crudeness of the
Attic tetradrachrns with the beauty and impurity of the new coins of the successors of
Alexander." There was, therefore, we may be sure, reffret elsewhere than at Athens
when the old reliable pieces, which had once donminated the nmoney market, ceased to
be issued, and more than one generation passed before those already in circulation
ceased to be used. With the " owls " disappeared her commnercial supremacy and with

Ferguson, op. cit. see pp. 1.56-182.


Ferguison, op. cit. p. 183.
Ferguson, op. cit. p. 184. I.G. ii, 836. 45, 80, 86, 93.
Head, Historia Numoumm,p. 232; Babelon, Traite I, p. 485; Ferguson, Uniiv. of Calif. Publ., Classical
Philology I, p. 148.
5 Ferguson, Hellenistic Athens, p. 184, note 2; cf. K6hler, Zeitschr. f. Numism., 1898, p. 10, also
J.H.S.,
1910, p. 196, no. 36.
" Diogenes Laert., VII 18.
2

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

254

the LongwWalls, which Antigonos let fall in ruins, vanished her political im-portance
which had been maintainied of late only by the most heroic sacrifice and courage.'
It is not so easy to calculate just what the coinage situation in Athens was duiring
this period. It is possible that there was sufficient old coinage to continue in circulation

for 32 years.

If the T8TQaXlWLIvrtLO'rVet which were dedicated in the Asklepieion were

in wide circulation in Athens at that time, it is extraordinary that none was found in
the Acrora. In fact only two coins of Antigonos Gonatas, both bronze, appeared in this
first season's excavation.
Ob. Head of Atheina r., wearing crested Corinthian helmet.
Re. BA. Above oln either side of Pail r., crowning a trophy.
r. and 1. illegible.
References: McClean Collection 3599-3606.
Head, Historia Numorurn,p. 232.

(Between, legs Al) Symbols to

These are dated 277-239 B.C.


There is a group of bronze coins, though not many in number, which seem to belong
to this period. The fact that they are stamped with the name of the city proves,
I believe, that they were minted in Athens. The types are familiar ones on the silver
coins of Antigonos Gonatas with the head of Zeus oni the obverse and the Athena
Polias?2 hurling a thunderbolt, right, on the reverse.3 It is possible that the minting
of bronze coins for local use was not prohibited by Antigonos, but that silver was niot
coined because the mines belonged to the Macedonian crownl. Nevertheless, it seems
reasonable to place this group of bronze coinis in the period of AnitigfoniosGonatas.

Group I
Bever se

Obverse

1. Head of Zeus r., bouind with taenia;


border of dots.

A E Athena Polias? r., huirlingthiunder0 bolt and holdiiig slhieldon 1. arm.


In field 1.,spear of wheat; in field r.,
coiled serpent.

Spccimen;,

Svoronos, P1. 22, no. 55; B. M. C. (Attica) p. 84,.no. 582; P1. XV, no. 2.
2. Samne.

Samnie.
In field 1., Medusa lhead.

Same.
Symbols illegible.

Svoronos, P1. 22, no. 58; not in B. M. C.


3. Samne.
Cf. SvOrOliOS,
I
2

P1l.22, nos. 53-58.

Ferguson, op. cit. p. 184.


Pausanias, 1, 26, 7.

NeWeell,E. T., Thle Coinages of Demetrius Poliorcetes, cf. P1. XVll, no. 27.

THE COINS OF ATHENS

255

The Macedonian hegemony was a period of great depression in Athens and


discouraged all enterprise,' The city was run down and suffered greatly frorn dire
neglect. Periodic wars had reduced the government to financial exhaustion.2 A wealthy
Athenian, Eurycleides of Cephisia had alleviated distress in a number of instances,
which not only brought him great respect, but prominence in Athenian affairs.3 His
influence was paramount in 232 B.C. about two years before the death of Demetrius II,
son of Antigonos Gonatas, andl in 232/1 B.C., he was a most energetic treasurer of
military funds.4 The situation in Athens then was almost hopeless; the land lay
untilled, for there was no seed grain. Eurycleides came to the rescue and revived
agyricultutraloperations.5 His public spirit caused the Athenians to turn to him after the
death of Demetritus II to decide what course Athens should pursue. It was resolved to
secede from Macedon. The commander of the Macedonian garrison agreed to turn over
the forts on payment of 150 talents.
The money was secured from the friends of
Athens and in 229 B.c. Athens was rid of the foreign garrison for the first time in
sixty-five years.
Now that Athens had regained her libertv, Eurycleides advocated a
Athenian independence was recognized by the new
policy of the strictest neutrality.
regfent of Macedon, Antigonos Doson, and even Rome solicited the friendship of the
Athenians. The whole ancient world seemed ready to recognize her independence.6
No free state could exist without its own money, so that one of the first acts of
the new gov=ernment was to reopen the muints; " rather to require " says Ferguson, " the
mints henceforth to coin Attic, not Macedonian pieces."
The new issue of Athenian
coins was not merely to meet local needs, but to seek the circulation that had previously
been enjoyed by the " owls," and above all to herald the fact that Athens was again
a sovereign state.8
1 Ferguson,

op. cit. p. 237.


Ferguson, op. cit. p. 205.
3Fer guson, op. cit. p. 206.
4Ferguson, op. cit. p. 205.
5Ferguson, Athenian Tribal Cycles in the Hellenistic Age, pp. 87-88.
In I.G.2 II 791 (Diomedon Archon 253/2 i.c.) "the spe(ific reason assigned for the solicitation of
suibscriptions 'for the safety of the state and the protectiorn of the countryside ' was to provide the treasuirer
of the mnilitary funiid, Eurycleides of Kephisial, witli the money needed 'to harvest in secur-ity the crops
during the rem.-ainider of tile ye.r.'
The time of the latunchlillg of the project wals the last day of
Elaplhebolion (April 8tlh, 252 i%c., DiDsmoor). That an emergency levy had tlhus to be made in this spring
is initelligible and accords vell witlh the demnands of hiistorical facts."
"Should, however, 1. 4 of I.G.2 II 791 be restored witlh a secretary of Leuikonoe and Dioimedon be regarded
as a second archon of that niaine (see pp. 18ff.), the resuiltant date 232/1 n3.c. likewise permits a1 plausible
adjustment between the cointents of the decree and the historical situation (Hell. Ath., pp. 203 ff.). It yields
an equally satisfactory constrLuction of the cttrs5tus honortion of Etirykleides . .. anid it brings the activity
of [Diogeni]es Make[don], in suibscribing for the defense of Attica, into closer juixtapositionl with his
extraordinary maniifestation of Pliil-Atlhenianisin in 229 B.c."
6 Fergusoni, Hellenistic Athens; pp. 206-210.
7Ferguson,
op. cit. p. 211.
8 Fergusoni, op. cit. p. 212.
2

256

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

The old coin types were definitely abandoned; the new issues were made with a
wider and thinner flan which had come into use during the course of the third centurv.
The new devices were inoffensive to modern taste, and they bore marks to fix the
responsibility for purity and weight upon mint officials and the various mints.'
The new
money of Athens soon obtained the widest circulation.2
Tradition had been too strong to have them change the Athena head on the obverse.
However, the character of the head on the silver series and most of the bronze is very
different. Its inspiration was undoulbtedly the chryselephantine statue of Athena by
Phidias in the Parthenon. The head is adorned with earring, necklace, and a close
fitting helmet which is decorated in front with the foreparts of four or more horses
abreast. On the side is a flying griffin or Pegasuis, and on the back of the bowl is an
aplustre. The helmet has the ear guards turned up and the neck guard elongated and
finished with an ornamental border. The head is surrounded by a border of small dots.
The reverse likewise has innovations, for the owl is represented as standing upon a
prostrate Panathenaic amphora; the monograms or magistrates' names and symbols are
conspicuous in the field; on the amphora there is often a numeral ranging from A-N;
two or more letters often occur beneath the amphora; the whole is surrounded by a
wreath of olive.3
This silver series can be divided into four general classes: No. 1 has two monograms
and a symbol and can be dated ca. 229-197 B.C.; No. 2 has two abbreviated magistrates'
names and a symbol and can be dated ca. 196-187 .c.; No. 3 bears three magistrates'
names and a symbol and can be dated ca. 186-100 B.C.; No. 4 has two magistrates'
names and a symbol and can be dated 100-30 B.C.4
When the new coinage was adopted in 229 B. C. the monograms of the mint magistrates
were affixed to the coins to establish, as I have said above, the responsibility for purity
and weight upon the officials. About 196 B.C. the men in charge of affairs seemed to
feel that the Roman victories had given their own government added security, so they
used the quasi-monarchical privilege of putting their names on the coins of the city; 5
at first abbreviated and then written in full.
The mint magistrates were members of influential families;' sometimes visiting foreign
princes as Antiochus Epiphanes whose name and symbol, the elephant, is found on the
coinage of ca. 176/5 B.C.; 7 and very often closely related members of one and the same
For example, the two brothers
family, such as father and son or two brothers.
Eurycleides and Micion of Cephisia who initiated the new coinage have the names of
I

Fergulson, op. cit. p. 245; Head, Historia Numorum, p. 316; Hill, Handbook of Gr-eekand Roman Coins,
pp. 121.ff.; Sundwall, Untersuchungeniiber die attischen Miinzen, p. 110, note 2.
2

Ferguson,

op. cit. p. 247.

3 British Museum Catalogue (Attica). Introduction,


4 Head, Historiia Numorwm,pp. 380-386.
5 Ferguson, op. cit. p. 287.
6

Head, op. cit. p. 379.

Ferguson, op. cit. pp. 302-303.

pp. XXXIV-XXXV.

THE COINS OF ATHENS

257

Members of their faimilies recurring in successive generations on the coins of Athens.


The adjunct symbol was chosen by the magistrate whose nanme stood first.
Sundwall's exhaustive study of the subject seems to show that the inint officials
were not magistrates in the strict sense of the termn; their office was an honorary one
which entailed a financial obligation to be met at their own expense.' He also supposes
He believes that
a close connection between the Athenian mint and the Areopagus.
the series of names of the third official which occur during the greater part of the
second century reveal the fact that a committee of twelve Areopagites was annually
appointed and entrusted with the direct responsibility for the purity, etc., of the coins.
The nmembers of this comiiittee held office in rotation, so that whenever a fresh issue
of coins was required, the signature of the coimmittee-man whose turn it was to assume
duty was added beneath that of the ordinary magistrates.2
The third muagistrate's name was frequently changed, in some series as often as
twelve times during the period in which the other two magistrates held office.
Presumably this period was a year, as (leduced by the nunmeral letters on the amphora.
No doLubt these letters indicated the month of the ordinary or lunar year in which
the coins were struck. We should not assume from this, however, that coins were
minted with undeviating regularity, year by year or even month by mrlonth, in the
years when they were isstied. The supply was regulated by the denland. There were
years of considerable activity, of course, and there are issues which bear all tlle
month numerals A-M (or even N in intercalary years, when an extra imonth was
inserted to adjust the calendar).3 These numerals represent calculations by the lunar
month; whereas, the thirdc magistrate's period of office is thought to be reckoned
xwaT Oov or by the solar year.4
Every precaution was taken to differentiate the various issues of silver, as is shown
by the addition beneath the amphora of various initial letters of uncertain significance.
Some scholars believe that these stand for the namles of the various officinae of the
mint.5 Svoronos and Sundwall, however, think that these marks designate the various
silver mines in Lauriumn from which metal was procured.6
If this interpretation is
correct the mint used the output of thirty or forty separate mines during the era
of this New Style coinage,7 but only about half of this number were the permanent
sources of supply, while the other half were mines resorted to only occasionally in
periods of stress.8

1
3

Sundwvall,Untersuchungyen
iiber die attischentMllnzen, p. 108; Ferguson, op. cit. p. 436.
fHead, op. cit. p. 379; Suindwall, op. cit. p. 69.
Head, op. cit. p. 379.

Head, op. cit. p. 380.

-5liill, G. F., A Ilhandbookof Greckoand R?omanCoins, pp. 129ff.


6 Head, op. cit. p. 380; Sundwvall,op. cit. p. 110.
I Fergusoin, op. cit. p. 377.
8

Head, op. cit. p. 380.

258

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

In the nmiddle of the second century, ca. 166 B.C. Delos was giveen to Athens by the
Ronmans on the condition that it was to be a free port.' The growing, needs and
immense comnmerce of Delos had a direct effect upon the coinage of Athens. The
demand for metal for minting purposes alone was large and insistent. Thousands of
slaves were employed near Suniuim to mine and smelt the ore: "The coins were
made by hand in a public mint located in the shrine of the bero Stephanephorus."
"It was a large business and the mint worked under pressure. Hastily and with little
reward to elegance of form, the dies were miade and the coins struck; for the Athenian
money, being honiest in weight and miiaterial, had secured a wide circulation." 2
In the first quarter of the first century, ca. 92B.C., the interests of Rome and Pontus
were clashing, in Asia Minor.3 Athens became engaged in the com bat by appealing
to Mithradates, king of Pontus, who then seemed to have the upper hand, to help
overthrow the oligarchs who were uLsurpin(gthe power in Athens and were monopolizingo
Mithradates' aid to Athens only brought Suilla to her gates. This was
the offices.
another period of financial exhaustion and the told Athenian coins struck with the
niame of BAIJA F Mh-l(PAAT1HI show that the Poiitic king helped Athens weather the
But even with this aid and that of military reinforcements Athens
financial storm.
could not withstand Sulla's attacks. After his siege and sack of the city, poverty
and demoralization were found on every side in Athens.
Monev was coined with
87
buit
not
in
some regularity after
very large quantities.4
B.c.,
None of these silver coins of the New Style was found in the Agora in the first
season, but about 120 bronze coins belong to this period.
By means of a chart I have tried to present my study of the chronology of
the bronze coins of the New Style classed as Group J (on Plate VII). As a working basis, I have selected all the bronze coin types of this style represented in the
British JMtsemn Catalogue of Attica, those of the two Attic lhoards published by Alfred
R. Bellinger in Numismiatic Notes azd Monogr(ipghsNo. 42, those from Barclay Head's
I.iistoria NXmorum, the large collection of Svoronos in Les Jlifonnaies d'Athe'nes, and
the specimens from the Agora excavation fotund in 1931. The majority of these
bronze types bear symbols that can be related to the symibols occurring on the
silver series of the New Style coinagfe. By this comparison of bronze and silver
coins' one can arrive at a tentative chronology for the bronze series, but the
inconclusive results obtained show that it is not wise to push these comparisons
too far.
Judginog from the variations found in the dating of the silver series, as yet there
seems to be no absolute certainty of their chronology.
The mosSt scientific method
of approaching a chronological sequence for the silver series is only now bein g
'

Ferguison, op. cit.


FerguLson,op. cit.
" Fergtison, op. cit.
4 Ferguson, op. cit.
2

p. 329.
p. 377.
p. 439.
pp. 439-448; p. 456, niote3; Sunidwall, op. cit. p. 106.

THE COINS OF ATHENS

259

undertaken by M. Kaiubanis (Arethutse, Vol. V, 1928, pp. 121 ff.) by the comparative
method of anvil and punch dies. It is a stupendous task, because of the long series
of New Style silver coins, but, I believe, this method alone will produce definite
chronological evidence. Since none of these silver coins was found in the first season's
excavation, it did not seem necessary to go into this complex problem of chronological
sequences on the silver series,
Necessarily then, this study of the bronze coins must be purely tentative, arrived at
on the basis of the study of the silver coinage made previously by various numismatists.
I have not sought to compare so much the variant datings of the silver coins, but rather
the variant datings of the bronze in relation to the silver. To the best of my ability
I have tried to make the most reasonable comparisons of bronze and silver and to give
the most plausible datings, as nearly as possible on the grounds of style. The results
have not been wholly satisfactory, for there is still a distressing variety of dates and
difficulties that cannot seem to be reconciled.'
In the chart (Plate VII) I have given the sequences within the class and the results show
that the classes overlap. It does not seem reasonable to think that one class existed alone
in a given period, especially in bronze coinage of a late period. That various types
existed side by side is more natural and that one group of magistrates preferred one
type, another group chose a second. Bellinoger is wont to keep these classes mutually
exclusive, as far as dating is concerned, and there runs into difficulty.
That Classes I and II begin earlier than Class III seems probable, but that Class III
was adopted some time before Classes I and II ceased to be issued is most certain. It is
natural to expect this, since Class III is but a replica in bronze of the type of silver
coin adopted in 229 B c. That this should appear early in the second century along
with the other types is to be expected.
A point that is brought out in this comparative chart seems to confirm the fact
that Classes 1, 11 and III existed side by side for a certain period. Toward the end of
the second century we find a confusion of the obverse types. Class I, usually represented
with Athena wearing the Corinthian helmet, adopted the Athena Parthenos type of
head in Class I e; Class II, always portraying Athena in the Corinthian helmet, also
adopted the Athena Parthenos type in Class IIu at about the same time; while Class III,
always using the Athena Parthenos type from the silver coins, represented Athena in
the Corinthian helmet Class IIIe 2 toward the end of the second century.
Most of the other classes of bronze coins represent types current at more or less
one specific time within the period of the New Style coinage. They are not types
M. Kambanis, in a recent article in B. C. H., LVI, 1932, pp. 37-59, has arrived at a completely new
arrangement of a certain group of magistrates by means of coordinating the same obverse dies, the
rotation of the third magistrate's names, the letters on the amplhorais which denote the month, and the
groups of initi.ol letters beneath the amphora, wlich are either the names of the variouis officinae of the
minit or the marks of the silver mines at Lauriuin. When this task has been completed for all the series
of New Style silver coins the chronological sequences may be such that the arrangement of the bronze
series will in turn be mnore satisfactory.
18

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

260

which survived for an extended period and which were changed slightly by ea.ch
succeedingf magfistrate to suit his particular taste, such as Classes I, II and III were.
Either in 167 or 166 B.C. the Romans declared Delos a free port by exempting it
fronm taxes,-an
expedient resorted to in order to suppress the prosperity of the
Rhodiarl commercial enterprise which annoyed Rome at this time. The temple at Delos
was handed over to the Athenians and an Athenian cleruchy was sent composed of
governors or " 'Eicu 2e;rcal " and other magistrates who virtually ruled the island.' The
foreign inhabitants were ordered to leave, but allowed to remove their property.2 This
was lnot the boon to Athens that it might seem on the face of it, for Delos became a
great tradingf centre, a merchant community where speculators and profiteers flouri-shed
with no civic duties to fulfil., This, of course, destroyed the commercial prestigle of
Piraeus and the administration of the island brought a score of unexpected difficulties
to the Athenians. Since this was nothingf blut an artificial prosperity in Delos, it lasted
only fronm 167 or 166 B.C. until the First Mithradatic War in 88 B.C, and during -that
timne the city of Delos was only suibsidiary to the commercial prosperity which the
harbor afforded.3
The cleruchies ordinarily were accorded the privilege of strikingf mnonev however,
this right was limited to bronze money and the coins themselves testify that Delos was
no exception.
Kohler was the first to recognize the series of coins struck A( 1', the
style of which differed from the usual Athenian currency and the symnbols of which
recalled the Delian cults. These he attributed to the Athenian cleruchs in Delos. In
1900 Svoronos confirmed the opinion of Kohler by a study of a group of coins 14 of
which had the niamneof Delos and 91 the name of Athens. Since then the excavations
on the island have yielded a great number of these coins and their attribution is no
longer doubted.4
This group of coins5 is characterized by its dual nature, portraying, a combination
of Athenian and Delian types. One variety lhas the head of Artemnis on the obverse
A
with 0 E around the owl and the symbol of the lyre on the reverse.'
Another
A
and the quiver of Artemis on the
has the head of Athena on the obverse with ) E1J
reverse.7 The series which includes the cicade on either obverse 8 or reverse9 recalls
inmmediately the Athenian New Style coins representing, the statue of the Delian Apollo'O
1
2

CamiibridgeAncient Hi.story, Vol. VIII, pp. 643, 645.


.A. H., op. cit. p. 294.

3 (C.A.H., op. cit. pp. 6I4-6bO.


4 Roussel, Paul, Delos, ColontieAthinienne, pp. 47-48.
5 Svoroiios, TI-sor, Pls. 106-107.
6 Svoronos, op. cit. P1. 106, nos. 1-7.
, SYororios, op. cit. P1. 106, i1os. 27-29.
8 Svoronos, op. cit. P1. 107, lioS. 50-74.
SSvoIo11os, op. cit. P1. 107, lios. 28-35.
10 Svoronos, op. cit. 1'. 80, iios. 8-14.

261

THE COINS OF ATHENS

which is in-\Tariablyaccomnpanied by the syimbol of the cicade. A group made oni the
Attic model is represented by the coins with the head of Artemnis on the obverse with
A0
1I and the owl on a postrate Panathenaic amphora on the' reverse.1 Of this latter
type there exists a series' which is particularly interesting and confirmatory for this
attribution to the Athenian cleruchs in Delos. Beneath the head of Artenmis on the
obverse are the letters TPlIA wlhich recall the name of Triarius, the legate of Lucullus,
who repaired the damages of the ravaging of the island by the Pontic troops and the
Sometime after 69 B.c. Triarius cleaned up the city,
pirates led by Athenodorus.
reconstructed the ruins of the sanctuary of Apollo, and fortified the city by a wall, a
great part of the course of which can now be traced in Delos. Four epigraphical
documents have been found in the excavations of the island which relate to the legate
and. his work-3 No doubt, these coins bearing his niame were struck in commemoration
of his services. The striking of these coins may have continued until near the end of
the centtury.4
I have not attempted a chronological sequence of these coins of the Athenian
cleruchs in Delos, but I am merely listing the various types found in the Agora in 1931.

Group K
Obverse

1. Head -of Artemis r.


Svoropos, 11. 106, nos. 48-51.

Sp1ecimens in Agora

Reverse

A0 E Kerchinoswithin wreatlhof wlheat.

2. Head of Athlena r., wearing Corinthlian (A 0E) Kerchnos within wreatlh of

1
1

wheat.

helmet.

Not in Svoronos; B. M. C. (Attica) Pl. XV, no. 14.


3. Head of Artemis r.

A E Cicade.

Svoronos, P1. 107, iios. 43-45.


4. Head of Artemis r.

A 0- Upright Amphora.
E

Svoroios, P1. 107, nos. 36-41.


a. Cicade.

Owvl r., on thbunlderbolt.

E
Svoronos, P1. 107, nos. 50-54.
6. Cicade.

A 0 Upright Ampliora.
E

Svoronos, P1. 107, 11os.55-69.


op. cit. Pl. 106, nos. 52-65.
Svoronos, op. cit. 131.106, nos. 66-71.
Roussel, Delos, Colonie Athe'nienne, p. 331.
Ioussel, o0.) cit. p. 48, note 1, and p. 334, note 2.

1 SvronOS,
2
3
4

18*

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

262

Durinig this period Athens also had other cleruehies than Delos, but the only other
one that is represented by coins in the Agora in 1931 is Peparethos, an island lyinig
off the coast of Thessaly. As the independent coinage of the island shows, Dionysos
This is, no doubt, the reason why
was the chief divinity of the Peparethians.
Svoronos 1 attributes the series of coins with A E and the heads of the voung and
bearded Dionysos to this cleruchy. There were onlv seven coins found in the first
season's excavations that can be placed here, but they represent four different types.
Group L
Obrer-se
1. Head of young Dionvsos r., bound
with ivy. Border of dots.
Svoronos, PI. 25, nos. 29-31.

Reverse
A OE Athena advancing r., armed with
helmet, spear, and aegis.

2. Head of young Dionysos r., bouniid A 0 Kantharos.


E
with ivy.
Svoronos, PI. 25, nos. 33-34.

Specimensin Agora
1

3. Head of Zeus r., bouind with taenia.


Border of dots.
Svoronos, P1. 25, nos. 36-42.

A 0 Head of Dionysos r., bearded,


E wearing wreath.

4. Head of Dioinysos bearded r.

A 0 Head of Athena r., wearing


E crested Corinthian helmnet.

Svoronos, PI. 25, nos. 43-50.

Another series of coins bearing the letters AO3E is the money of Eleusis which
is similar in type to that struck EAEYYI. The explanation of these coins and their
chronological sequences have been the subjects of much discussion among numismatists.
Several of them have worked on the principle that this Eleusinian money was the
sign of autonomy of this religious centre and of its accidental independence of Athens
fromn tilme to time. They have searched the history for circumstances which might
have produced this independence.2 In B. M. C. (Attica)3 Mr. Barclay Head has placed
all this Eleusinian money between 350-300 B.c. But in his Historia Numorum he has
shifted his dating to 339--322 B.C., perhaps on consideration of style and comparison
with Athenian money. He believes that at this time Athens conceded to this religious
site the right of coining money, a privilege that was certainly of short duration.4
M. Cavaignac5 believes that the monies of Eleusis are the various issues struck
for the festivals in the periods when Eleusis, independent of Athens, had need of
I
2

Svoronos, op. cit. P1. 25, -nos.29--50.


Babelon, TraitM1112. Description Historiqpe, p. 138.
B. M. C. (Attica), Introduction lx, ? 5.
Head, Barclay, Historiia Nutmorum,p. 391.
Cavaignac, Les Monnaies d'Elettsis, Revue Numismatique, 1908, pp. 311ff.

THE COINS OF ATHENS

263

He distributes these issues into several


small dlenominations for local commerce.
chronological periods, the first being placed 403-400 B.C. when Eleusis was separated
from Athens during the failure at the end of the Peloponnesian War. The second
series he dates ca. 318 B.C, during the struggle of Polysperchon against Cassander
anld of Cassander against Demetrios Poliorcetes, when he thinks Eleusis detached
The third series he would assign to the
herself from Athens and struck money.
short period from 287-285/4 B.C. when Denmetrios having lost Athens seized Eleusis.'
Because they are manifestly a later style than the other two, he thinks it is necessary
to place them here. The fourth series he compares with certain Athenian bronze
pieces of the second century and the fifth series he places still later.2
Mr. Ferguson states that the only "possible eras of Eleusinian independence are:
of course, in 403-401/0 B.C.; 318/7 B.C.; 304 B.C. while Cassander was besieging Athens;
296-294 B.C. from the time Poliorcetes captured Eleusis 3 until the fall of Athens, and
perhaps unitil the capture of Eleusis by Demochares in 289/8 B.c. Eleusis was Athenian
from 289/8 B.C. onward, hence this period is excluded, but in 265-261 B.C. during- the
Chremonidean War Eleusis was certainly not in the possession of the Athenians."
Ferguson believes it possible that two issues belong to 296 or 294-289/8 B.c. and
265-261 B.C. He says that it is not possible for an issue to belong to 318/7 B.c. "if
the Archippus of I.G. ii, 5.574e4 was the Archon of this year, and not of 321/0 B.C.,
which is also possible; besides there is no record of Eleusis being separated from
Athens at this time. Nor have we any certain evidence of a separation in 304 B.C.,
since Plutarch5 mentions only Panacton and Phyle as beino in possession of Cassander
Still there is no unlikelihood that he held Eleusis also. After
dLuring the sieoe.
261 B.C. I know of no time when Eleusis was independent," says Mr. Ferguson.6
M. Svoronos would attribute the money in the name of Eleusis to two different
periods in Athenian history, when some of the people of Athens sought refuge in
Eleusis. They were full-fledged citizens and free from Athenian control and interference. The first time was after the fall of the Thirty Tyrants, when the Athenian
agreement with King Pausanias accorded the privilege to those in the city, who were
afraid because of their political affiliations, to move to Eleusis without loss of property.7 The sec,ond time was very much later, durinig the epoch of the Chremonidean
War, when again Athenian citizens occupied Eleusis.8
In opposition to these theories, M. Babelon contends that the money which bears
the name of Eleusis was struck at Athens itself at the celebration by the Athenians
Babelon, TRaiti 1112. Descriptio(n Historique, p. 139.
I3abelon, op. cit. p. 140.
3 Plutalch, Demetrios, 33.
4 Ditt. Syll.2, 647.
5 Platarelh, Dem1et-ios, 23.
6 Ferguison, Ilellemtistic Athens, p. 145, note 4.
7 C. A. IlI., Vol. V, p. 372.
8 Babelon,
Trcaiti 1112, p. 140.
2

264

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

of the Greater Eleusinia.


He feels that the money struck with A0 E, having the
same type as the Eleusinian monev and bearing the same svmbols in the field of
the reverse, is an argument against the Eleusinian money being produced in the
periods when the deine of Eleusis had political autonomy and was independent of
Athens. The exclusive use of bronze, the few small denominations, and the lack
of variety of types and symbols, all (go to prove that the Eleusinian ciina( e was
struck under the authority of Athens.'
But the abundance of this coinag-e from Eleusis, the variety of strikings, and the
very noticeable differences of style between the various groups lead one to the conclusion that this coinage was struck more or less intermittentlv over a loncr period
of time. Is it not then the religious coinage struck at the periodic celebration of the
This money was onily poor bronze, since it was destined to be
Greater Eleusinia?
thrown at the people during the grand processions which wou(ld aloiig the Sacred
Wa v.2
Babelon believes that the style of the earliest series wxarrants a date nlot earlier
than the midldle of the fourth centuiry or, perhaps, eveni as late as the period of
Alexander, as Barclay Head suggests.
He thinks that the latest series belongs to
a period well advanced in the third century or even later.3
It is probable that the bronzes of Eleusis bearing the name of Athens were struck
at the times when the celebration of the Greater Eleusinia was held in Athens, perhaps,
in momiients of crises when the access to Eleusis was found to be closed to the solemn
processions which ordinarily started from Athens and moved toward Eleusis.4
Though only a few of these coins were found in the 1931 excavations, the succeeding
camipaigns have added considerablv more of them. It is to be expected that large
numbers of them will be founid in the Agora, for it is here that the procession assembled
before starting out for Eleusis.
Grotup M
Obverse

?eveirse

1. Triptolem is seated 1. in winged chariot


drawvn by 2 serpents, holds wlheat in
r. liatid.

Specimensin Agora

EA ELV(atbove) Pig standing onibakelhos,


all in wreath of wheat. Symbol
in exergnie kerebiios?

EAETYI Salme as 1., btit no symbol

Svoronos, P1. 103, cf. no. 10.


2. Samne as 1., btut Triptolemus

seated r.

ill exerguie.

Svoronos, P1. 103, no. 15.

Babeloi,
Babelon,
3 Babeloi,
' Babelon.
2

op. cit. p. 140.


op. cit. p. 141.
op. cit. pp. 141-142.
op. cit. p. 142.

THE COINS OF ATHENS


Obverse

265

-Rererse

Specimi?ensin Agora

3. Same as 1.

EAEYEI in exeiguie below the Pig on


bakehos, all in wheat wvreath.

A 0 E in exerguie below
bakehos.

Svoronos, P1. 103, cf. nos. 17-21.


4. Head of D)erneter to r.

the Pig on

Svoroinos does not give the type with letters below, buit cf. P1. 103, nos. 57-64.

It is hardly possible to estimate the extent of the trade and foreign relations of
Athens through the Greek period from the foreign coins found in one short season's
excavation.
Every campaign of excavations adds numerous and different types fromn
all over the Greek world. No doubt, Athens held the same position in the Greek
period that our great modern metropoles do today. It was the centre for merchants
and traders, travellers and scholars who came from abroad. They brought with them
their local monies which were accepted in Athens only according to weight. We are
assured that all kinds and varieties of people visited the Agora, where we find a strange
assortment of money throughout all ages. I am listing the Greek coins from these
various foreign sites merely to give a vague idea of the unlimited variety of coinages
that we can expect as the excavations progress.
1. Chalcis, 4S0-445

AE (I coin).

Ob. Eagle with spread wiulgs flying r.


Re. Incuise square (much rubbed).
Reference: B. M. C. (Cent?al Greece) cf. p. 109, no. 36, P1. XX, no. 7. (If this is Chalcis it is not otherwise
known in AE, this reference is to silver.)

This, no doubt, belongs to the new currency issued after the Persian War when the
fabric became thinner and flatter. At this time the cities of Euboea were subject allies
of Athens. This late archaic money does not extend beyond the time of the revolt of
Euboea from Athens in 445 B.C. and its reconquest by Pericles in the same year.'
2. Corcyra.
a. 450-400

B.C.

AE (2 coins).

Ob. Head of young Herakles r., in lion's skin.


le. KO BLunch of grapes with leaves.
Reference: B. M. C. (Thessaly), p. 121, no. 101, P1. XXII, no. 2.
b. 229-48 B.C. AE (1 coin).
Ob. Head of younig Herakles r., in lion's skin.
Re. K(OPKY Above forepart of gally r.
PAIQ?N (Name or monogram of prytaiis below illegible).
References: B. M. C. (Thessaly), p. 145, cf. nos. 482-484; McClean, PI. 190, no. 29; Head, Hist. Num.,
p. 328, dates this coin 229-48 i.c.

Between 450-400 B.c. Athens and Corcyra had an alliance; the coins of a may be
representative of this. However, the coins similar to b were issued under the Roman
I 13.Af. C.

(Centtal Greece),Introduietion, pp. liv-lv.

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

266

Republic when Corcyra was free and allowed to issue money. There are coins similar
to b that have NIKA on them which may refer to a victory won in galley racing
by the Corcyreans.'
3. Eu6boea, 411-387

B.C.

A E (1 coin).

Ob. Bull standiiig r., above wreath?


Re. Bunch of grapes; to r. EYB; in field 1., star?
Reference: B. M. C. (Centr(l Greece),p. 97, cf. no. 26.

This coin belongs in the period after the second revolt from Athens, when Euboea
thereafter was independent of Athens. Coins reading EYB may be attributed to Eretria,
for there are no coins from that city at that time and the other cities of Euboea had
their own names on the coins.2
4. Rhodes.
a. 400-333 B.C. zR Didrachm. Weight 6.30 gr. (1 coin).
Ob. Head of Helios, 3/4face toward r., hair loose.
lRe. POAION Rose with bud in field r., below ES, symbol 1., giapes. (Inciise not apparent.)
Reference: B. M. C. (Carciaand Islands), p. 233, ino. 34, PI. XXXVIJ, no. 9.
b. 333-304 B.C. AE (1 coin).
Ob. Head of nymph Rhodes r., wearing stephane, pendent earring; hair rolled. (The wife or the
dauighter of Helios, according to varying accounts.)
Re. (PO to 1. and r.). Rose on stem with bud to r.
References: McClean Coil. III, no. 8578, P1. 299, no. 18, also cf. no. 32; B.M.C. (Caria), p. 238, ilos. 82 seq.
PI. XXXVII.

After 408 B.C. when the city of Rhodes was founded, the new coinage that was
introduced was, no doubt, inspired by the unrivalled masterpieces of Kimon at Svracuse
who used the full face or three-quarter heads which were a novelty at this period.
The Rhodian die-engraver did not follow him slavishly, but asserted his individuality.
The result is a worthy and characteristic rendering of the Sun God in his noon-day
glory with rounded face and ample locks of hair blown back, suggesting his rapid
course. The crown of rays which artists of the later age preferred is, on these earlier
coins, merely hinted by a skillful adaptation of the locks of hair. The unradiate heads
of coins similar to a come before the age of Alexander except the didrachms with
magistrates' names at full length.3
AE (1 coin).
5. Phocis, ca. 371-357B.C.
Ob. Head of Athena facing slightly r., in three-crested helmet.
Re. Olive wreath (3 leaves visible), 4 in centre; perhaps should be (D(Q).
Reference: B. M. C. (Central Greece),p. 70, cf. no. 77.

In this period of Theban supremacy in Central Greece, bronze coins make their first
appearance. From ca. 371-357 B.C. the Phocians were unwilling allies of Thebes during
the Theban supremacy. The Phocian silver may have been driven out of circulation
1
2
3

B. M. C. (Thessaly), Introduction, pp. xlix-1; Head, Historia Nurnortum,p. 328.


B. M. C. (Central Greece),Introduction, p. lix.
B. M. C. (Caria and the Islands), Introduiction, pp. cii-ciii, and p. cv.

267

THE COINS OF ATHENS

by Locrian and Boeotian currency. This type with Athena facing may have been
imitated from coins of Syracuse (tetradrachms), as are also Locrian coins of this
period. On the reverse of these coins the later form of 'D occurs for the first time.2
6. Arcadia, Arcadian League struck at Megalop)olis,ca. 363-330
Ob. Head of young Pan r. (with goat's horns).
Re.

a-

B.c.

AE (1 coin).

Syrinx.

Reference: B. M. C. (Pelop.). p. 174, nos. 62 ff.

Presumably, this is the festival or federal coinage struck for the Arcadiani games
which were held on Mt. Lyeaeus, the Arcadian Olympus. The types, no doubt, are
taken from the cult of Pan.3
AE (1 coin.
7. Salamiis. ca.350-318B.c.
Ob. Woman's head r. (Salamis).
Re. (2A AA) Shield of Ajax.
Reference: B. M. C. (Attica), p. 116, nos. 1-6.

Salamis fell into the hands of Macedon in 318 Ba. Belonging to the domilion of
Athens, it appears to have had the right to coin money from 339-318 B.C.4 There is
a temple to Ajax on the island (Paus. 1, 35, 3). The festivals called Al&rvretC were
celebrated in honor of Ajax and these coins were doubtless issued on these occasions.5
8. Locii Opuntii, ca. 338-300 B.C. AE (2 coins).
Ob. Head of Athena r., wearing Corintlhianhelmet.
Re. AOKPQN Bunch of grapes.
Reference: B. M. C. (Central Greece),p. 7, nos. 57-60, cf. PI. IT, no. 8.

After the battle of Chaeroneia in 338 B.C., Greece was reorganized under the
hegemony of Macedon. It was said at the congress which assembled at Corinth
that the separate autonomy of each individual city would be reaffirmed. But in
Boeotia and Locris this is not borne out by the coins, for there are no longer names
of separate cities, but the words B01QTQN and AOKPQN.6
9. Corinth.
a. 400-300 B.c. AE (1 coin,).
Ob. Pegasus with pointed wing l.
Re. Tlident upwards; in field r., amphora?
Beference: B. M. C. (Corinth), p. 56, cf. I1o. 462.
b. 300-243 B.C. (ca.) AE (I coin).
Ob. Head of Atlhena r., wearing Coriiuthianhelmet.
lie. Pegasus, forepart with pointed wing to r. Below 9.
Reference: B. M. C. (Coiinth), cf. p. 57, no. 476, P1. XIV, no. 9.

1
2
3
4

5
6

Head, B., Coins of the Ancients, P1. XXVI, fig. 31.


B. M. C. (Central Greece), Inti oduction, p. xxvi.
Head, B., Historia Nurmorrnm,p. 444.
Kohler, Ath. Mlitt.IV, p. 250.
p. 392.
Head, B., Historia Ntumorutm,
B. M. C. (Central Greece),Introduction, p. xviii.

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

268

10. Hist-iaea, ca. 313-265 BC. AE (1 coi ).


head r., wearing earring, necklace, atid viiie wireath; hair in sphendone.
Ob. WXroman's
Re. ITl: Head and neck of bLtll, 3/fjace r., with fillet (obscutre),to 1., buinchof grapes.
Referentce:B. M. C. (Central Greece), p. 128, nos. 29-33, P1. XXIV, nio.8.
1t. Aegara, 307-243
a. (2 coins.)

s.c.

AE

Ob. Prow 1, on it stands a tripod, above trident 1.

Re. MEr Two dolphinis swimmiing r., in circle, border of dots.


Reference: B. M. C. (Attica), p. 120, nos. 22-25, P1. XXI, nos. 10 or 11.
b. (2 coins.)

Ob. (MEPA) Prowx1.


Re. Tripod betweeni two dolphins upwards; border of dots.
Reference: 1B.M. C. (Attica, p. 120, no. 30, P1. XXI, no. 12.
C. (1 coin.)

Ob. Prow 1.
Re. (Obliterated.)
Reference: B. M. C. (Attica), P1. XXI, ios. 12 or 13.

12. Epidaurts, 323-240 B.C. AE (I coin).


Ob. Head of Asklepius r., lauireate.
Re. E In laurel wreath.
Reference: B. M.C. (Pelop.), p. 157, nos. 16--17, cf. P1. XXIX, nio.17 (without r).
4.50 yr. (1 coin).
Didrachwia. TWeigiht
13. Macedonia, Timiieof Alexan2derto 323 .C.
Ob. Head of Herakles in lion's skin r.
Re. Zeus seated 1, %/nnude, holding eagle in r. hanid and sceptre in l. (iniscriptionsillegible).
Reference: IMeCleanCoIl. no. 3483, PI. 131, no. 1.
14. Aegiia, 320-130

B.c.

AE (I coiit).

Ob. AlIP (inscription very vague).


Re. AlPI Rams head r.

Prow r.

References: B. M. C. (Attica), no. 228; -Millbank,p. 54,

',

PI. IV, no. 7 (AiPA).

t5. Achaean League, ca. 280 B.C. AE (1 coin.).


Oh. Head of Zetusr. lauireate.
Re. >( witlhin lauirel wreath.
Reference: B. I. C. (Pelop.), p. 1, no. 2.

This coin dates after the reorganization of the Achaean League when the federal
mints issued a uniform coinage.'
16. Antigonos Gonatas, 277-239 B.C. AE (2 coins.).
(Given within text of paper p. 254.)
17. Aegae?, Aeolis, Asiat Minor. 3rd century. AE (1 coini).
Ob. Head of Atlhena r., wearing crested Athenian helmet ornamented with pegasus or griffin.
Re. AirAEON (uncertain). Goat's head (obliterated).
Reference: B. M. C. (Tiroas,Aeolis anid Lesbos), cf. H, p. 95, no. 1, P1. XVIII, no. 1.
I

Head, B., Hlistoria Numoruin, p. 416.

269

THE COINS OF ATHENS


18. Epirus Replublic, 238-168

B.c.

A E (1 coin,).

Ob. Head of Dione wearing laureate stephanos anid veil.


Re. (AII)EI Tripod-lebes, all in laurel wreath.
PQTAN

AF behinid head.

References: B. M. C. (Thessaly), PI. XVII, no. 12, p. 91, no. 53; 'McClean Coll., PI. 189, Ino. 13.
19. Dyarachiumin, 229-100

B.c.

AE

(I coin,).

Ob. Head of Dodonaean Zeus r., crowned with oak.


Re. (DIAU Tripod-lebes, below AMP, all in oak wreath.
TA
Reference: B. M. C. (Thessaly), p. 76, nos. 167-168; ef. PI. XIV, no. 4, same tvpe witlhdifferent magistrate.

From 229-100 B.c. Dyrrachium was under Roman protection and still retained
a considerable measure of autonomy. The names of the magistrates on the coins refer
to mint officials who superintended the minting of the money or tested it when it
was minted.'
20. MIagnetes, ca. 197-146 B.c. AE (1 coin).
Ob. Head of Zeus I., hair bound witlh a taenia.
Re. AmItrNHAbove anid below the prow of a slhip r.
TQN
Beferentces: AMcClean
Coll., nos. 4641-4642; B. M. C. (Thessaly), p. 34, ios. 3-12, 13 (all witlh head r.).

In 196 B.c. Flamininus proclaimed the freedonm of Magnetes and at once the citv
began to issue federal coinagei2
21. Aenianes, T'hessaly, 168-146 B.c. AE (I coin,).

Ob. Head of Zeus r., laureate.


Re. AlNIAN(QN) around froin r.; slinger (Plhemnius)diselhirging sling r., body ftull face, two
javelins behind him on 1.
References: Exact type not in B. M. C. (Tthessaly) or McClean Coll.;

Cf. B. M. C. (Thlessaly),

P1. 11, no. 51

p. 12; MeClean Coll. II, nos. 4553-4541, PI. 171, no. 10. (Zeuis lbead 1., in these types.)

Aenianes did not begin to issue money until it obtained freedom from the Aetolian
League which dissolved in 168 or 167 B C. presumably.3
22. Thlessaly, Time of Hadrian.

AE (1 coin).

Ob. Bust of Achilles r., in close fitting crested helmet (AXIA); to r. AEYC.
Re. (OE)CCA.0N Free horse r., trotting.
Reference: B. Al. C. (Thessaly), p. 6, no. 69.

Some of these
subject

allies,

and

foreign
still

cities

others

belonged

had

merelv

to the domirinion of Athens,


comnmercial

alliances.

But

others were

whether

there

was a direct connection between Athens and these foreign cities or not, Athens was
alwavs a haven for foreigners. Among the metic and slave populations there were,
no doubt, mlore foreigners than Athenians. There was probably no city in the ancient

B. M. C. (Thessaly), Iintroduiction,p. xi.


B. M. C. (Thessaly), Iitroduction, p. xxxi.
B. M. C. (Thessaly), IntrodLuction, pp. xxxi-xxxii.

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

270

Greek world that would have had as much foreign coinage filtering in as Athens.
Though the numbers of foreign coins are not large for this first season's excavation,
nevertheless, every campaig,n adds greater quantities and more varieties.
The coinage of Athens under Imperial Rome is a suibject which has not yet been
thoroughly worked out in any way. From the thirty series of silver money of the
New Style known between 86 B.C. to the beginning of the Empire, there are only
three 1 that can be attributed to the period of Augustus. Also, two of these contain
only drachms and not tetradrachms, as in the past.2
There is a series of Roman money which has been said by soMe 3 to have been
struck at Athens on the occasion of the visit of Augustus in 19 B.C. If the Emperor
even stopped at Athens in this year, it must have been only for a little time
and it is mentioned in connection with his meeting with Vergil.4 Mattingly and
and put the money, bearing the reverse
Sydenham 5 reject these conclusions
IOVI ONY M) with the temple of Zeus Olympius, among the coins which were
struck in an uncertain mint in the orient, and place them between 19 and 15 B.C.(
In the Numismatic Museum in Athens there are only two pieces of this series,
two denarii, one with the capricorn and the other with the temple of Zeus Olympius.
There is nothing about them which would show that they are superior in style or
even different from the ordinary Roman money of the time. The grounds for
attributin,g these to Athens and for identifyingf the building with the temple of Zeus
are very hypothetical.7
From the evidence of the coins struck with the name of Athens (AEIHor AOHNAIUN)
it is necessary to conclude that the right of striking money was denied the Athenialls
about the beginning of the Empire. Augustus did not seem content to prohibit the
Athenians from selling their rights of citizenship in Athens, but went further in
withdrawing their privileges of a free city by refuLsing them the right to strike
But it is possible that this punishment was inflicted upon them only at
money.
the time of a revolt which is placed at the end of the reign of Augustus.8
After the time of Augustus, the Athenians struck only bronze money and there
is no evidence that will enable us to place this with any certitude before the time
However, when they were again granted the privilege of
of Hadrian, 117 to 138 A.D.
an exceptional favor; their money did not carry
were
accorded
coining money, they
the head of the Emperor,9 as most provincial coinage did during the Imperial times,

Demochares-Pammenes, Dionysios-Demostrates, and Architimos-Pammenes.


Graindor, Paul, AlhUnessotns Atguxste,pp. 37-38.

3 Gabrici, Studi e materiali di archaeologia e numismatica 1T, 1902, pp. 163 ff.
4 Graindor, op. cit. p. 37.
5Mattingly & Sydenhain, Roman Imperial Coinage 1 1923, p. 64, no. 56.
6 Grainidor, op. cit. p. 37, note 1.
Graindor, op. cit. p. 37.
8 Graindor, op. cit. p. 38.

9 Graindor, AthUnesde Tibe7e et Trajan, p. 132, note 3.

THE COINS OF ATHENS

271

but still represented the head of Athena, the patron Goddess of Athens, which had
sealed the coinage of Athens alimost since its flrst beginning.
If one can not assign the beginnings of this Athenian Imperial coinage to a date
before the second century of our era, what was the monetary situation in Athens for
over a century and a quarter? And one may rightly ask, for here is a very moot
problemn. It is a simple solution to say that the city used Roman Imperial coinage, but
I wish to point out this problem as it confronts us in the excavation of the Agora.
Every year there is found an abundance of New Style bronze coinage and large
nulubers of Athenian Imperial coins, but in the interval between the two during the
first century, when one would expect the use of Roman Imperial coinage, we find only
an occasional coin here and there. In fact this is the only period which does not have
a fair representation of coins. Indeed, a city the size of Athens had need of considerable coinage over a period of a century and a quarter. Is it to be supposed that
the New Style coinage was sufficient to continue in circulation throughout this long
period, or is it possible to place some of the issues of Athenian Imperial money in the
first century A.D.?
At present the evidence is not sufficient to assure one that this is
the solution for the lack of coinage in the first century of our era.
Since the Athenian coinage of the Roman period did not carry the head of the
Emnperor, as in most provincial cities, it makes the problem of classifying it chronologically most difficult. To arrange this abundance of coinage according to die-sequences
would furnish a chronological ordering but it would not elucidate very mnuch the
specific dating of the series.
Svoronos has arranged this long series according to the subjects on the reverse, but
this gives no clue to dating whatsoever.
From a hoard of these Imperial Athenian
coins found at Eleusis, he drew the conclusion that this mnoney was struck first under
Hadrian and then not again until the time of Gordianus III.i But actually, the styles
of the heads of Athena on the coins themuselves show that there were mlany strikings
with a long deterioration of style and diminution of sizes. No doubt, they began under
Hadrian, perhaps ceasing for a time under Severus, but soon resumed again and
extended through the time of Gordianus to the reign of Gallienus who was a friend of
the Athenians.2
If one assumnes, then, that the oldest pieces of this iuoney belonged to the first half
of the second century, it is necessary to place the series of coins with the large flans,
which it will be noticed have been most rubbed, as the earliest of this long series.3
An examination of the types of the heads of Athena in this group shows that there are
two distinct variations of style. One group wears the Corinthian helmet and the other
the Attic, which will be discussed later. The heads with the Corinthian helmets show
1 Ath. jMlitt.,Band 56, 1931. Pick, Behrendt, Die "Promachos" des Pheidias und die KerameikosLatupen, p. 60.
2 Ath. Mitt., loc. cit. pp. 60-61.
3 Ath. Mitt., loc. cit. p. 61.

272

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

specific characteristics: first, they recall the formii andl style of the helmet of the New
Style coinage; secondlv the bowl of the helinet is large and slightly ovoid with a sweep
of the narrow horse hair crest from the top of the bowl to the neck line. They are
beautiful heads with delicate features. The hair is loosely waved beneath the helmet
and hangs down the back in loose locks.'
A variation of this group wearing the
Corinthian helmet is represented by the bust of Athena, a charming, youthful Goddess
with shoulders draped. The size of the head has diminished and the helmet is set more
uipright upon it. The bowl of the helmet is smaller and rounder and is crowned with
a shorter and narrower crest worn high on the bowl. The hair is loosely waved
beneath the helmet and is drawn back in a loose roll in the neck. Often we find that
this type is surrounded by an olive wreath.2
Judging from the larger size of the flan, the darker tint in the mletal, the rubbed
condition of the coins, and the superior technique of the type, we must place the group
of coins with the bust of Athena wearing the crested Attic helmnet in this general
period. In spite of the fact that most of the coins of this group are so rubbed that
the details are uncertain, one can see that it is a lovely bust and of quite superior
technique. M. Pick is inclined to suppose, in a study of these coins in comparison
with lamps found in the Cerameicus, that when this Atheniian Imperial coinage was
initiated there was a competition to determine the style of the coin type.3 One type,
that with the Corinthian helmet, drew its inspiration from the statue of Athena
Promachos, while the other with the Attic helmet copied the Athena Parthenos of
Pheidias. The representation of Athena with the Corinthian helmet appears to have
found the greatest approbation, as it continues unremittingly throughout the period of
Athenian Imperial coinage. While the type with the Attic helmet soon ceased and did
not reappear until a somewhat later period.4 Even in the small fractional issues there
seems to have been this struggle to determine the types and here, too, the Corinthian
helmlet seems to have prevailed.
The coins of this period soon changed to a smaller module of somewhat heavier
fabric made of a lighter colored metal. In a general way it is possible to follow the
changes of style which occurred throughout the period. In the second century the hair
begins by being loose and soft over the forehead and in the back; then the back hair
is turned into a soft roll which gradually becomes more twisted: until in the third
centurv there is a hard roll with even the hair over the forehead changed from loose
locks to a hard twist.5 The crest of the helmet, too, is altered. It began with
a simaple, narrow horse hair crest formed by parallel lines, which sweep over the bowl

Svoronos, Tre'sor,cf. P1. 82, nos. 1 and 29; P1. 83, iios. 15 aiid 29; P1. 86, Inos. 2-3.
Svoronos, op. cit., cf. P1. 82, no. 4; P1. 83, ios. 31-32; P1. 8., nos. 10, 12; P1. 86, no. 1; PI. 87, nio. 1f;

PI. 88, nos. 55-56.


3

Ath. Mitt., loc. cit. p. 61.

Ath. Mitt., toc. cit. p.61.

Ath. Mitt., toc. cit. p. 63.

THE COINS OF ATHENS

273

of the helmynetend(inlg in simnple strands in the nape of the neck. Later this crest
broadens, becoming more elaborate with a fan-like flare from a central point on the
bowl of the helmet, and often ends in a more sophisticated double curve in the back
of the neck.
In the third century it appears that the helmets change in type and in elaboration.
The use of the Attic helmet is again found with a variety of shapes of visors, with
combinations of types with elalorately decorated bowls, and with the more frequent
use of the neck guard. We also find high double crests on Attic helmets, along with
broad sweeping single crests. It seems to be at this time that the Athena head which
is turned to the left comes into use.
For the sake of convenience it has seemiied best to present the specimens of this
coinage found in the Agora in 1931 according to the subjects of the reverse. However,
the Athena heads on the obverse of the coins found in the Agora can first be divided
into 8 classes.
I a. Head of Athena r., wearing crested Corinthian helmet, narrow horselhaircrest with long sweep over
inr loose locks over forehead and in back of lueck. YoutlhftulGoddess-superior technique.
bowl; hair
I b. Buist of Athena r., same as I a., but has soft drapery at neck. Stiperior techlnique.
l1 a. Btist of Athena r., wearing double crested Attic helmet, close fitting, hair loose in back. D)etails
of helmet indistinct, but seems to be an owl on the neck guLard,wears neekiace andl aegis.
Superior techlnique. This head gives one a nobler anid in some respects a truier representationi of
the Partlhenon stattie thaii the head on the NeewStyle silver coinage.
1l b. Head of Atlhenar., wearing crested Attic hielmet,close fitting with visor and olive leaves, neck guard;
hair shows beneath helmet, wears necklace Superior techiiiqtne. Occurs only on fractional issue.
III a. Head of Athena I., wearing crested Corintlhian helmet, narrow sweeping crest. Occurs only on
fractional issue.
Ill b. Btist of Athenia r, wearing crested Corinthian lhelmet, narrow crest sweeps over bowl and ends in
simple strands at neck; hair in loose locks over forehead and soft roll at iieck; slboulders draped.
IV a. Head of Athena r., wearing crested Corintlhian lhelmnet,broad fall-like crest spreads from central
poinit on bowl; hair loose over brow aind in back.
IV b. Bust of Athena r., same as IVa, but shotilders draped.
Va. Head of Athena r., wearing crested Corinthian lhelmiet,broad crest spreads fan-like froin central
poillt on bowl; hair in soft locks oin brow and loose roll in back.
Vb. Bust of Atlhena r., same as Va., witli drapery oii slhoulders.
VI. Bust of Athena r., wearing crested Corinthian lielmet, broad crest spreads fan-like from central
poinit on bowl; hair in soft roll over brow and in back; shoulders draped.
VII a. Head of Athena r., saine as VI., but hair in hard tvisted roll over brow aindin back; no drapery.
VII b. Bust of Athena I., same as VII a.
VIII. Bust of Athena r., wearing crested Attic helmnetwith visor, ear-guards, and long neck giard;
shoulders diaped.

Classes I a and I b and II a and II b are coins with large modules made of dark
metal. Their rubbed condition and superior techlnique designate them as the earliest

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

274

groups of these Athenian Irnperial coins. The other classes are mnadeon a smialler
flan and of lighter mnetal. Classes IIIa and IIIb are transitional types; while classes
IVa and JVb and Va and Vb seem to belong to the last half of the second century.
Class VI is transitional to the third century types of classes VIIa anrdVIIb and VIII.
The representations on the reverse of these Athenian Imperial coins cover a wide
range of artistic, monumental, mythological, and symbolical subjects. This study of
theni has been divided into those categories.
A. Copies of statues represented on Athenian Imperial coins found in the Agora.
1. Athena Paxtheitos of Pheidias.
Obverseclasses

Reverse

References

I a. and b.
lI a.

AO-HNATQNAtherna Parthenos facing I., liolding

Svoronos, P1. 82,


nos 1-4, 13, 29,

V a.
VII b.

Nike; armed with helmet,


spear, and shield.

35, 41; P1. 83,


nos. 10, 11, 15.

Nun
mber
7

Remarks'
Pausanias 1, 24, 7. This
is a copy of the Chrys-

elephantine statue of Pheidias in the Parthenon.

2. Athena Archegetis.
VIIa.

May be Athena Archegetis


on Acropolis or Athena
Paeonia near Cerameicus
Paiusanias 1, 2, 5.

Svoronos, P1. 85,


nos. 9, 12.

Pausanias 1, 24, 5; cf. ruIining figuie on Madrid


puteal-traced toE. Pediment of Partlienon.2

Athena stanid- Svoronos, P1.8(,


A0IINA1QEN
ing facing, head 1., armed nos. 2, 11.
with helmet, spear, and
shield.

Pausaniis 1, 28, 2 Lange


identified this as the Promachlos,and says turlI of
lhead like that of bronze
statue.

Pausanias 1, 18, (3. Copy


of colossal Zeus in Olympieion, which in ttirii was
copied from Zeus of
Pheidias at Olympia.

AO-HNAIQN
Atlhena stand- Svoronos, P1. 83,
ing L., wears helnet and ino. 39.
long cliiton; owl in r.
hand extended.

3. Athena fomn the Pedinmentof the Parthenon.


I a. and bi.

AOHNAIQ?NAthena advainCiDg 1., head I., shield


and spear in 1., r. arm
extended back.

4. Athena P,'omnachoson Acropolis.


I a.
V a.

5. Chlyselephantine statue of Zeus set ulp by Hadriian i

V a.

Zeus seated I.,


A()HNAIE?N
on throne, holding spear
in 1. hand and eagle in
outstretched r.

Olympieion.

Svoronos, not
exact type given,
cf. P1. 92, no. 3.

I The references to Pausanias and works of art have been taken fromITmhoof-Gardner, Nutmisnmatic
unless otherwise noted.
Most recently discussed by R. Carpenter in Hesp)eria, II, 1, 1933, p. 40.

Commenstary on Pausanias,
2

THE COINS OF ATHENS

275

6. Asclepius, cult statue in Asclepieion at Athens.


Obverseclasses
III a. and b.

Reverse
AOHNA1-N
Asclepius standing facing, head 1., draped
in himation which falls
over 1. shoulder.

References
Svoroiios, P1. 98,
nos. 8, 14.

7. Kore, one of the figures front a group of Praxiteles.


I b.
AO0HNAI0NKore advan- Svoronos, P1. 93,
cing r., holding in each cf. no. 44.
hand a lowered torch.
8. Apollo wvithlyre.
I b.
AO11NA1QN
Apollo standing
facing, head 1., wears long
chiton with diplois, holds
patera in r. hand, lyre 1.

Svoronos, P1. 93,


no. 1.

Number
2

Remarks
Pausanias 1, 21, 4. Copy
of the cult statue in the
Aselepieion at Athens.

In the National Museumat


Athens is a group of Demeter, Kore, and Jakehos
said to be by Praxiteles.

Has not been identified


with aiiy statuLe.

B. Ancient Monuments represented on Athenian Imperial coins found in the Agora.


1. Altar of Zeu-s near the Erechtheum.

I b.

AOH in exerguie. Altar


of Zeus on which stands
bucranion between 2 vases,
olive branches on either
side.

Svoionos, P1. 87,


no. 42.

There was known to be


an altar of Zeus on the
Acropolis near the Ereehtheum.

Svoronos, P1. 98,


no. 22.

From prominence of steps,


infer type was to commemorate the paving of staircase with white marble.1

2. Acropolis from the Wfest.


I a.

AO-HNAlS2N
Acropolis from
w., on top are Parthenon,
Propylaea, and statue of
Athena Prornachos;a flight
of steps leads to the Propylaea; in side of rock is
cave of Pan.

I Lange, K., Arch. Zeit., N. F.


XIV, p. 199 has made this suggestion.
Judeich, Walther, Topographie
von Athen, 2nd edition, p. 215, note 2. Unfortunately, we know only the possible outside limits of this
rebuilding in marble of the steps leading to the Propylaca.
They can not be earlier than the Agrippa
monument which was constructed in 27 B.c. nor later than the coins which were struck in the 1st half of
the 2nid cenitury to commemorate the erection and completion of this project.
An inscription I.G. 111,
1281 F which nientions the progress of the constriuction of the steps is dated in the time of Claudius.
It has led Graindor and others to suppose that this was the date for beginning the reconstruction.
No
doubt, this is correct, but if we accept the fact that the Athenian Imperial Coinage did not begin before
the reign of Hadrian, it is necessary to suppose that the project was completed somnewhere about his time
and that the coins were struck for this occasion.
If the marble stairway was completed before the
beginninig of the 2nd century and the coins struck to commemorate this event, then the whole group of
coins with large modtules, dark metal, thin fabric, and stuperior techniqtue must be puLt back in the first
century.
The other alternative is that these coins were not struick on this occasion, but in this event
there is no explaiiation for the representation of this type.
19

276

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

C. Mythological Subjects represented on Athenian Imperial coins found in the Agora.


1. Contest of Athena and Poseilon.
Obverseclasses

Bererse

References

Head of Athena
r., wears Corinthianhelmet.Details obscure.

(AO3HNAIQN) Contest of
Athena r., Poseidon I.,
with owl in olive tree
between
them.
Coiled
snake on tree hostile to
Poseidon.

Svoronos, P1. 89,


cf. no. 13.

Pausanias I., 24, 3 and 5.


Represents Athena prodlucing the Olive and Poseidon the waves. Stubject
of W. Pediment of Parthenon may be source.

Svoronos, P1. 94,


no. 23.

'I'his may have been symbolical in the ctilt of


Demeter or reminiscent
of her trip to the Underworld.

Svoronos, P]. 94,


nos. 13, 42.

Pausanias 1, 38, 6. May


be connected with cult in
the temple of Triptolemos
at Eleusis.

AOHNAIQN Theseus on I.,


attacking MinotauLir who
has fallen. Theseus holds
club in r. hand.

Svoronos, PI. 96,


no. 14.

Pausanias 1, 24, 1. On the


Acropolis is a representation of the fight of
Theseus and MinotaLir.

AOHNAIQN These-Ls advancing 1., nude, r. hand


raised with lash?

Svoronos, P1. 96,


cf. no. 23.

Theseus attacking MinotauLrwho is not represented


in scene.

Number

Remnarks

2. Demeter iz winged chariot drawn by serpents.


I a.

AO9HNA1QN
Demneter standing, in car- drawn by
serpents, going 1., wears
long chiton; holds wheat
and a torch.

3. Triptolemosisn tvingedchariot drawn by ser-pents.


Ib.
lI.

AO1HTriptolemos seated I.,


in winged car drawn by
serpents.

4. Theseus ctnd the Minotaur.


lV b.

5. Theseus alone.
VI.

D. Historical Events symbolized on Athenian Imperial coins found in the Agora.


1. Agonistic T'ablerepresentedon coins struck for Hacdrianeia.
Ib.
III b.
VII a.

AOHNAIQN
Agonistic table
on which is btust of Athena

Svoronos, Pl. 88,


no. 58; P1. 91,

r.,betweei owl r., wreath 1.,


amphora beneath table.

nos. 1, 9.

Pausaiiias 1,18,9. Hadrian


buLilds gymnasium at
and
Athens
institutes
Games. Similar coills with

AAPIANEIA
on table prove
this attribution.'
l There are coins with the representation of the Agonistic table that haive other legends inscribed on
the table, which would signify that they were struck for other Games than the Hadrianeia.

THE COINS OF ATHENS

277

2. Thenistokles standing on a galley.

Obrerseclasses
I b.

Reverse
AO)HNAIQNTheinistokles
in military dress standing
on galley to r., carryiing
wreath and trophy; on
prow sits owl, at stern a
serpent.

E. Symbolical Representations

References
Svoronios,P1. 97,
no. 17.

Numvnber Remarksh
1
Pausanias 1, 36, 1. In Persian sea-fight serpent appearedon ship.Victory won
by Themistokles, trophy
placed in sanctuary of
Artemis at Salamis.

on Athenian Imperial coins found in the Agora.

1. Athena and the olive tree.


AOHNAIQN Athenia standing facing, head I., armed

IL.
V a.

Svoronos, P1. 87,


nos. 20, 23.

May be part of group


which would include Po-

with helmet, spear, and

seidon, snake looks 1, to

slhield; olive tree I., with

him.

snake coiled on it.


2. Athena seated.
V a.
III b.

Athena seated
A0IHNAIQ?N
I., wears helmet, long
chiton anid aegis with
peplos over knees, holds
patera or Nike in r. hand;
spear and shield beside her.

Svoronos, P. 87,
no. 33; P1. 88,
no. 3.

Mlay be copies of statues


not identified.

Svoronos, P1. 90,


nos. 1, 7.

Pausanias 1, 27, 2. Olive


tree in the Temple of
Athena Polias.

Svoronos, P1. 90,


nos. 35, 40.

Promineince of the amphora wouildsuggest Panatlienaic issue.

Svoronos, P1. 96,


nios.42, 45, 47.

Only fiactional issues.

Svoronos, P1. 97,


no. 43.

Fractional issue.

3. Olive tree wvithotwland amphora.


IV a.
VIIf.

AOHNAIQN in exergue.
Olive tree between amphora I., owl r.

4. Owvlon iupright amphora.


I b.

AOH Small owl sitting on


upright amphora.

5. Nike with, wreath or garland.

IV a.
Va.

AOHNAIIQN
Nike in motion
to r. or I., holds garland
or wreath.

6. Prowv

ith owvl.

Head of Athena
I., wears crested
Corinthian helmet. (Details indistinct.)

AOH Prowv of ship r.,


with owl on end.

19*

278

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

7. Serpent.
Obverseclasses
I b.

Reverse
A611 Coiled serpent ready
to spring.

References
Svoronos, PI. 98,
no. 17.

AOH1NAIQN Bucranion
bound with a fillet.

Svoronios,P1. 99,
nos. 7, 8, 11, 19,
26.

Significance unknown.

AO11 Bucranion.

Svoronos, P1. 99,


no. 42.

Fractional issue.

Svoronos, P. 88,

13

Fractional. issues.

Numnber Remarks
1
Fractional issue.

8. Bucranion.
I a. and b.
V a. and b.
VI.
Head of Thescus
r., bareheaded.
9. Owul.

I a. and b.
II b.

v to r., or 1.,
AOH Owl0
sometimes olive branch in
field. Various arrangements.

nos. 23, 32, 38,


39, 40, 46, 50, 51,
52, 54.

It has seemed appropriate in this prelimninarystudy of the coins from the Agora
to concentrate attention on the history of Athenian coinage. Since the excavations
are being conducted in the heart of the city of Athens, it will always be the Athenian
coins with their chronology and problems that will be most abundant and important
to the excavation of the site. There are many phases in the chronology that are
still vague and unsettled, but it is the hope, as the excavations progress, that more
evidence will be brought forth to elucidate, if not definitely settle, the chronology
which is now only tentative in a number of periods. The coinage of Athens is as
unique in the histories of coinage as the drama or sculpture of the Athenians. A dullwitted people could never have used or invented such a coinage and the study of
it only adds to the versatility of their genius.

JOSEPHINE P. SHEAR

Refereni

Symbol

Class

Obverse

Reverse

I a

Head of Athena r., wearing a


late Attic close fitting helmet
with hinged visor, set low
on forehead. Long neck gnard.
Behind on bowl aplistre.

A 0 ZeLusnaked, standing r.,


E holding thunderbolt in
lowered r., and 1. arm
extended.

I j3

Head of Athena r., wearing


crested Corinthian helmet.
Border of dots.

In field r., owl.

Svoronos, P1. 81, no


B. M. C.

Same.

Svoronos, P1. 81, no


B. M. CJ.

Same.

In fedr

,
spea

I y

Same.

Same.

In fied r., spear

Soronos, P. 81,

I dt

Same.

Same.

In field r., prow.

Svoronos, Pl. 81, nos.


B. M. C. p. 81, nos. 557-

No symbol.

Svoronos, P1. 80, nos.

Head of Athena Parthenos to r.


H

A Same.
0E
All in wreath of olive.

II cc

Head of Athena r., wearing


crested Corinthiani helmet.
Border of dots.

A 0 Zeus naked, hurling


TI fi
E thunderbolt r., 1. arm exi fie
tended. Lower r. eagle.

II ,3

Same.

I., 1
., weat,

nos.

| Svoronos7 P1. 81, nos.


B. M. C. p. 80, no. 541
Svoronos P1. 73, no. I

In field r., above


eagle, star.

Svoronos, P1. 81, nos.


541
B. M. C. p. 80, no.
Bellinger Nunm.N. aw

Same.

AE Same.
0l

In field r., cornucopia.

Not in Svoronos.
B. M. C. p. 80, no. 543

II d'

Same.

AE Same.
0

In field I., kerchnos, in field r.,


cornucopia.

Svoronos, P1. 81, Inos.


B3.M. C. p. 80, no. 541
Bellinger, Nuin. N. anc

II E

Same.

A 0 Same.
E

No symbol.

Svoronos, P1. 72, no. 2

Same.

A E Same.
0

In field 1.,
amphora, in field
r., cornucopia.

Svoronios, P1. 81, nos.

A 0 Same.
E

..~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~elne.,ni
II

II

a_

..

.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
8_

Same.

AE

In field 1.,
amphora.

I'O.

..

Svoronos, P1. 81, nos.


B. M. C. p. 80, nos. 54
Bellinger, NYuni. . and

CHRONOLOGICAL

Specimen in Agora

iReferences

owl.

spear

yow.

A).

heat,
ar.

Svoronos, P1. 81, nos. 1-3.


B M C

Not in

Svoronos, P1. 81, nos. 4-6.


B. M. C.

Not in

Svoronos, PI. 81, nos. 7-8.

)rnu-

2 others probable
but not certain.

Since the reverse type is the same as I a, it undoubtedly:


sequence.

gM

On silver issue with 2 monograms "l


nos. 6-32.

compare
Svor
vr
opr

1
Svoronos, Pl. 81, no5s99-16.
2 others probable
B. M. C. p. 81, nos. 557-9, P1. XIV, nlo. 7.hunoceti.Lcars
but not certaiii.

Prow occurs on silver series of Karaich-Ergokle. Cf. Svor


nos. 16-28. This type may be meant for the statue

Svoronos, P1. 80, nos. 22-24.

None.

There is nothing about this issue to connect it with a


except possibly the fact that it has no symbol, which ma
with Diotimos-Magas, III Period, N. S. (after 187 B.C.) Or
Kleophanes, III Period, 4th group, N. S. (146-100 .c. ca.). C
P1. 52, nos. 18-29 and P1. 65, nos. 1-18.

Svoronos, P1. 81, nos. 28-29.


M. C. p. 80, no. 541.
Svoronos, P1. 73, no. 13.

None.

O
On silver issue with 2 monograms

+ B.

Leochares.

compare Svor

nos. 6-32.
No silver series with symbol of star alone.

None.

Bellinger, Nurn. N. and 211.no. 42, p. 1.


Not in Svoronos.
B. M. C. p. 80, no. 543.

Sv
s P1 1 I1S 18?
8 9,2-4
Svoronos,
81, no.
.
C.p.
r.,
C.
B}. g. p. 80, no. 544. 19,o22-24.
a
a.
+ Bellinger, Nuin.N. and jI. no. 42, p. 2.

field

Evidence for dating compared with silver or other b

This type of late Attic helmet is similar to that on the


middle of 3rd century. Compare silver coins Svoronos, P1. 2S
also compare bronze in Agora. Group H, nos. 4-

None.

On silver issue with 2 abbreviated names Ammo-Dio, 1I PI


196-187 B.C. Compare Svoronos, P1. 39, nos. 11-'

1 probable
bue

These are botlh symbols which occur singly on the issu


with 2 abbreviated names Ammo-Dio, II Period, N. S.,
Kerchnos cf. Svoronos, P1. 39, nos. 6-10. Cornucopia cP1.39, nos. 11-20.

erch
erch-

I.

OF COIN'

None.

None.

Svoronos, P1. 81, nos. 17 and 18.


,bove B. M. C. p. 80, no. 542.
r.

TABLE

Svoronos, P1. 72, no. 25.

not certain

None.

The fact that it has no symbol may connect it with Diol


(after 187 B.C.) III Period, N. S. or Theodotos-Kleophanes (1
III Period, 4th group, N. S. Cf. Svoronos, P1. 52, nos. 18-2'
nos. 1-18.

Svoroinos, P1. 81, nos. 20? 21.

None.

This symbol does not occur on silver series.

Svoronos, PI. 81, nos. 25-27.


B. M. C. p. 80, nos. 545-547.
Bellinger, Nuni. 1X.and 111.no.42, p.2, IV.

None.

This symibol does not occur on silver series.

pia.

TABLE

OF

COINS

OF

GROUP

apared with silver or other bronzes

Head (after Sundwall) 2nd Edition

Bellinger

Atis similar to that on the coins of the


Iresilver coins Svoronos, P1. 23, nos. 1-45,
in Agora. Group H, nos. 4-10.

same as Ta, it undoubtedly follows it in


sequence.

'gM

rams
noams6-32.
nos. 6-32.

compare Svoronos, Pl. 34|

of Karaich-Ergokle. Cf. Svoronos, P1. 54


be
meant for the statue
F

of Zeus by

N. and M. no. 42, p. 5, no. 1. Also Dates silver issue with these Monogr
Numi).
p.
6: Useless to connect symbol of spear
22919 s.c. . N. p. 381.
|
of wheat with single silver isstue.
Nur. N. and 711.no. 42, pp. 8 and 9. Places

series.72
before Mithradates issue, 88B.cDates.silcr.

Leochares.

issue to connect it with a silver series


it has no symbol, which may connect it
riod, N. S. (after 187 B.C.) or Theodotos)up, N. S. (146-100 B.c. ca.). Cf. Svoronos,
-29 and P1. 65, nos. 1-18.
,rams

B.C. (ca.).

.N.p.

H. N. p. 382, dates silver series Diotin


Magas ca. 150 B.c. H. N. p. 383 silver se
of Theodotos-Kleophanes ca. 153 B.c

sCM
compare Svoronos, Pl. 34,

See note on I y. as

Same

nos. 6-32.

with symbol of star alone.

Nunm. N. and 31. no. 42, p. 1. Believes I


earliest coin in his hoard. Placing of letters

on reverse is peculiar to these pieces?

Dates silver issue with 2 abbreviated na


Ammo-Dio 196-187 B.C. H. N. p. 38:

,iated names Ammo-Dio, 1I Period, N. S.,


Lre Svoronos, P1. 39, nos. 11-20.
tNm.
ch occur singly on the
issues of silver
II
N.
S.,
196-187B.C.
Period,
immo-Dio,
39, nos. 6-10. Cornucopia cf. Svoronos,
39, nos.
nos.11-20.
11-20accounts

N. and M. no. 42, p. 5. The kerchuos |


occurs on his Type III (p. 2) he
says is found on silver series with

which

in conjunetion with /3c4xXo;. But this only


for 1 symbol.

bol may connect it with Diotimos-Magas ||H.


S. or Theodotos-Kleophanes (146-100 B.C.)
Cf. Svoronos, P1. 52, nos. 18-29 and P1. 65,
,
,
nos. 118.

s not occur on silver series.

s not occur on silver series.

Same as II y.

N. p. 382. dates silver Diotimos-Ma


H N p 3
d
ca. 1-00 B3.C. H. N. p. 383. dates sil.
ca. 153 B.c.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Theodotos-K

P LATE VII

(after Sundwall) 2nd Edition

Svoronos

Shear

I believe this is the 1st bronze


issue of the New Style. 229197 B.C.

2nd bronze issue of New Style.


229-197 .c.

issue with these Monograms


cer
9-197 B.C. H. N. p. 381.

er series 172 B.C. (ca.). R.N.p. 383.

Same as Head. 1st Period of New Style.

Dates silver series III Period, 2nd group of New


Style (after 187 B.C.).

382, dates silver series Diotimos150 B.c. H. N. p. 383 silver series


odotos-Kleophanes ca. 153 n.C.

Same as I y.

The only series with single


spear of wheat to which it
could be connected. Others
have 2 spears. 229-197 B.C.

Ca. 172 B.C.

187-110 B.c.

Dates this with silver series of Kointos-Charmost(ratos), 1V Period, N. S., see P1. 73, nos, 9, 10, 13. Only silver series with single
spear of wheat. 229-197 B.C.
Bat this silver series has 2 spears of wheat.
Probably 229-197 B.c.
Not certain.

er issue with 2 abbreviated names


)io 196-187 .c. H. N. p. 381.

Sanmeas II y-

Dates silver issue same as Head.

196-187

Dates this series with that of Mnaseas-Nestor,


IV Period, N. S., P1. 75, nos. 12 and 13. Cf. nos.
1-10. But this only accounts for the kerchnos,
for there -is no cornucopia on this silver series.

196-187

3382. dates silver Diotimos-MIagas.


IV New Style series of 2 names, Herakleon..c. H. N. p. 383, dates silver
Herakleides, P1. 72, no. 25. Cf. no. 24.
dotos-Kleophanes ca. 153 B.C.

n.C.

.C.

187-110 .e.

II 6

II

SamSam

AE

Same.

Same.

AE

Same.

In field 1.,
amphora.

In field I.,

Same.

pileus.

In field r. and 1.,


| pilei of Dioscuri.

A 0\E Same, wvithoult eagle.

Svoronos, P1. 81, nos.


B. M. C. p. 80, nos. 54
Bellinger, NYurni.
Y.Mand

Svoronos,
P.I 81,
nos.
Sooo
17ns

Svoronos, P1. 81, nos.,


B. M. C. p. 80, nos. 54
no. 4.
Bellinger, Numn.N. and

II

Same.

Xc

Svoronos, Pl. 71, nos.


In field r., staLr
45-48.
B. M. C. p. 81, nos. 57
betweencrescents.

A E Same.
03

n O. 5.

Svoronos, Pl.
II i.

A 0 Same.
E

Same.

In field 1., filleted


Thyrsos.

707

no.

0B. I C p. 8, no. 548


Bellinger, Nuez. N. am
no. XI.

A 0 Same, but with eagle on


E 1. arm extended.

Head of Athena Parthenos r.,


border of dots.

In field 1., spear


of wheat.
.

Head of Athena r., wearing


crested
Corinthian
helmet.
Border of dots.

II v

II

I
j

III a

Same..Zeus

Head of Atbenia Parthenos r.,


border of dots.

Svoronos, P1. 80, no_


B n. 12 p. 8,.
B. . . p.
, no. 55a6
ANum. IV.. an6
~~~~~Bellinger.
no. G.

In field 1. j3xcyo-.

PI. 77, noe


nos. 49-52.
B. M. C. p. 81, no. 551

bolt r., 1. arm extended.

Symbols illegible.

Cf. Svoronos, P1. 81,

A Owl r., wings


closed,
E standing
on
amphora
which lies on its side.
All in olive wreatb.

In field r., club


and bow of lHeracles over which
hangs lion's skin.

Not in Svoronos.
B. M. C. p. 78, no. 531.

In field r., tripod.

P1. 72, no.


P1. 79, nos. 32-33.
Not in B. M. C.

SyoronoS7

A 0 Same, eagle
E extended?

on 1. arm

naked, hurling

thundern

Svoronos7

III

III y

III dS

II
III

~ (1))|I

Same.

A 03E Same.

~~~~Same.

.Same.

Same.
Sae.

iSame.

Same..

In field r., pilei

Same.

No symbol.

of Dioscuri.

Infield r., 2 spears


of wheat.

Svoronos7 PI. 79, nos.


B. M. C. p. 78, rio. 523

Bellinger, Num. N. an
no. A.

Svoronos, P. 69, no. 21


B. M. C. p. 79, no. 532

Svoronos, (1) PI. 73, ni

one

id 1.,
cnri.

Svoronos, P1. 81, nios. 25-27.


B. M. C. p. 80, nos. 545-547.
Bellinger, Nurn. Y. and 31. no. 42, p. 2, IV.

Non e.

Svooo

None.

IP1.1ns
81, nos. 03.Nn.
30- 1.

B.M.C0

~~
~~~~~~3

silver and gold issues of Mithradates-Aristion, 88Bn.C.


important series of gold coiins occasioned by the military ri
Mithradates' war with Rome. The gold for this issuie wq
supplied by a subsidy from Mithradates and his agent ASvoronos, P1. 71, -nos. 1-12.

P1. 70,7 no. 26; P1. 81, nos.

Svoronos,
[eted

The single pileus does not occuir on silver series. This probo
before ILt becautse it seems that the one pileais was -unsati
they- modified the old type omitting the. eagle to make r(
other piletis and the eagle was never replaced.
This symbol occuirs en silver issuie with 2 monograms
and also on series Demetrios-Agathippos;
compare
nos. 1-23.
This b
Svoronos,7 P1. 37,7 nos. 1-5 andP158
is probably to be compared with the later group. Demetirios
ca. 110-100 a.C.: 1st variety withouit eagle.

Svoronos, P1. 81,nos. 33-39.


. M. C.p.80,nos. 54-5
0, P. xiv,197B.c.
no. 4.4
Bellinger, Nurn.N. and M1.no. 42, P.3, ]X.

Svorono,
Pl. 1~iio. 87 9 PI. 8, nos.On
Svoronos,4P.71no.89;P.1,os
sL r
45-48.
,ents. B. M. C. p. 81, nos. -552-555. PI. XIV,
no 5.

This symibol does not occur on silver series.

Bellige. N.p.
no. XI.

0,n.4.
N0 i.

a5d43.

On silver issuie of Architimos-Pammenes.


Compare Svoro
nos. 21-26. IV Period, N. S., series of 2 name

no32,p

This series is obviously a later type and nio silver series


Svoroos, P. PI.80,nos.
25-28;
Svoronos,
807~~hs

pear

P1. 73,
no. 12.thswtthsyboof2serofwetosivreis
B. KC
I I,n.6
.8,-i.56
6.
no.
BellC.ge. N81, no. 5and
n P1o.IV,
1 n,4,p
0
Belnger
no.NG.
G.

type have single spears of wheat. It is possible that we c


ih h smolo
2seasofwea
n ive
ere
Charmostratos, IV Period, N. S. Cf. Svoronos, P1. 73, nos. 9
preferable comparisoni is with the series Amphikrates-Ep~,
Period , 4th grouip. Cf. Svoronos, P1. 62, nos. 15-27, also w
wheat. My rea soni for preferring this date is because of
~~~~~~~~~~~~of
type which is explained in the text.

X/-

,ible.

Svoronos, P1.77, nos. 26-27;


os. 49-52.

P1.

~On silver issuie Sotades-Themistokles,


LNoneCmaeSooo,P1.7

Cf. Svoronos, P1. 81, nos. 17-52.

[eac
NtinSorns
in
lhich B.t
C.vpo78,no.s3.
M .p
skinb .
1,n.51

None.

pod.

Svoronos, P1. 72, no. 17; -cf. no. 16,Syblo


P1. 79, nos. 32-33.
Not in B. M. C.

pilei
'iL

Svoronos, P1. 79, nos. 8-14.


B. I. C. p. 78, rio. 523.
Bellinger, Num. N. anid 31. no. 42, p. 9,
no. A.

Svoronos 7P1. 69, no. 21; P1. 79, nos. 1-7.


B. M. C. p.
no. 532, P1. XIV, no. 1.
-79,

Syblo

None.

1 probable buit
not certain.

iears
Svoronos, (1) P1. 73, no. 11; (2) P1. 79,

Symbol on silver series of Aristophi-Her-a B. M. C. p. 39, ni


P1. X, -no. 2 and compare Svoronos, P1. 45, nos. 1-19. III IP
st group, series with 3 names.

sivreisPlmnAkts.C.vrns
ivrsre
oemnAkts
f
vrns
series with 3 names
N.S., 1sigop,

III Period,
~~~~~~~~~~18-29.

10
J.

IV Period,7 N. S., series


o.1-2

None.

Oni silver series of Demetrios-Agathippos. Cf. Svoronos, PI. 58


III Period, N. 5.,7 3rd grouip, series of 3 names, ca. 110-

The fact that it has no symbol may connect it with Dioti


III Period, N. S. (after 187Bn.c.) or Theodotos-Kleophanes (1~
III Period, N. 5., 4th group or Nikogenes-Kallimachos,
5th group. Cf. Svoroaos, P1. 69, no. 21, also nos. 14-20.
this later series in style.
May be compared
Svoronos, P1. 62,

with silver series of Amphikrates-Epih


15-27, III Period, N.
4th

s not occur on silver series.


suron silver series. This probably belongs
hat the one pileais was -unsatisfactory, so
nitting the. eagle to mnakeroom for the

Numn.N. and M. no. 42, pp. 3 and 4, dates


before II b, thuts before 110-100 B.C.

;he eagle was never replaced.

issue with 2 monograms )

229-

metrios-Agathippos; compare respectively


id P1. 58, nos. 1-23. This bronze series

N ,i. N
l1 no 42, p 5, no. on silve
series of Demetrios-Agathippos, ca.

th the later group. Demeti'ios-Agathippos

100

Dates silver series 110-100 B.c. (ca.'.


11010
p 3(4. n

B.C.

:1st variety withotut eagle.


Mithradates-Aristion,

88

B.C.

Historically

occasioned by the military necessities of


:1
The gold for this issuie was dotubtless NuI. N. and IlL no. 42, p. 7, dates with
series of Mithradates-Aristion, 88B.c.
Mithradates and his agent Aristion. Cf.
P1.
nos.
1-12.
71,
iS,

Is-Pammenes. Compare Svoronios, P1. 70,


eriod, N. S., series of 2 names.

Numn.N. and M. no. 42, p. 5, no. 67 on series of


silver of Architimos-Pammenespp. 7 and 8,
must be earlier than Head's datino,,-puts
before 87 n.C.

er type and no silver series of the later


meat. It is possible that we can compare
Lars of wheat on silver series of KointosCf. Svoronos,PI. 73, nos. 9-10.
But a
;h the series Amphikrates-Epistratos,
III
os, P1. 62, nos. 15-27, also with 2 spears

Nlyun7. A. and M. no. 42, p. 5, also p. 6.

Useless to connect
w

symbol

of spear

of

wheat with single silver issue.

N. p. 385, dates this issue 87-86 :

H. N. p. 386, dates silver issuie ca. 30

H
H. N. p. 386, dates silver series Koin
Charmostratos 56-55 B.C. Amphikra

Epistratos ca. 104 B.C.

. N. p.

84

'erring this date is because of the obverse


is explained in the text.
Ntm

IV Period, NS.seiso2nae.Nn.N
~tokles,
S. series of 2 names
1182wishes
ronos,'l7
ronos,PI. 77 nos.* 18-22.

NanM.

ii.42p.

5n.

_;P.8

ndMno42p.5n.5;.8,Dates
to place
Sotades-Themistokles earlier
than Head's dating, before 88 BC

.c.

silver series of Sotades-Themistol


Ca. 50 B.c. H. N. p. 387.

H. N. p. 383. Judging by style silver sei


falls early in III Period. Sundwall da
it somewhat later.

istoph-Hera B. M. C. p. 39, nos. 334-337,


0onos,P1. 45, nos. 1-19. III Period, N. S.,
series with 3 names.
emon-Alketes. Cf. Svoronos, P1. 50, nos.
group, series with 3 names, 186-147 B.C.

Nunm.N. and M. no. 42, p. 13, dates to


silver series Polemoni-Alketes, 186-147 B.C.

Dates silver series H. N. p. 383 ca. 164

gathippos. Cf. Svoronos, P1. 58, nos. 1-23.

Numn. N. and M. no. 42, p. 12, dates ca.


110-100 B.c.

Dates silver series 110-100 B.C. H.N.


N P.

p, series of 3 names, ca.

110-100

B.c.

ol may connect it with Diotimos-Magas,


or Theodotos-Kleopbanes (146-100 B.C.)
or Nikogenes-Kallimachos, III Period,
69, no. 21, also nos. 14-20. Resembles
ter series in style.

Dates silver series of Nikogenes-Kallimael


H. N. p. 385, dates 105 B.C. ca.

er series of Amphikrates-Epistratos. Cf.

Dates silver series of (1) Amphikra

Before 110-100

~e se

ie

11

series 110-100
p. 384.

ier

B.C

(c

."..........

.C. (Ca.).

..

.NT

III Period of 3rd grotup.New Style.

38a, dates this issue 87-86 B.C.

..

Dates this with King Mithradates - Aristion,


IV Period, N. S. Cf. P1. 71, nos. 1-12.

Dates the silver series IV Period, N. S., with


386, dates silver issiie ca. 30 B.C. series of 2 names. Cf. P1. 70, nos. 21-26. Dates
bronze with the silver.

B.C.

.-

Ca. 110-100

B.C.

Ca. 88 B.C.

Uncertain. In style seems to


compare with MithradatesAristion issue.

386, dates silver series Kointos- Kointos-Charmostratos, IV Period, N. S. Dates Probably ca. 101 B.C. Reason
ratos 56-55 B.C. Amphikrates- the bronze series to this period. Cf. Pl. 73, n1os.
explained in text.
9, 10, 12.
itos ca. 104 B.C. H. N. p. 384.

ver series of Sotades-Themistokles


,a. 50 B.c. H. N. p. 387.

IV Period, N. S., series of 2 names. Dates bronze


series to this silver. Cf. P1. 77, nos. 18-22, and

Uncertain.

26, 27.

83. Judging by style silver series


in III Period. Sundwall dates
f
it somewhat later.

III Period, N. S., silver series of Aristoph-Hera.


Does not have bronze issue. III Period, st group.

186-147

Perseries f. N. p. 383 ca. 164 B.C.

Places these coins with series of Epigenes and


Zenon. Cf. Svoronos, P1. 72, nos. 16 and 17. No
evident reason for placing here. IV Period, N. S.

Ca, 164 .c.

er series 1 10-100 n.c. H.N. p. 384.

Dates silver series III Period, N. S., 3rd group,


series of 3 names.

erseriesofNikogenes-Kallimachos.
V. p. 385, dates 105 B.C. ca.

Dates III Period, N. S., 5th group, series with


3 names.

ver series of (1) Amphikrates-

Ca. 110-100

.C.

B.C.

Probably Ca. 105 B.C.

E(1) f

Same.

Infield r., 2 spears


of wheat.

crested Corinthian helmet.

Same.

Same.

Head of Athena Parthenos r.

Same.

In fieldr., serpent.

III G7 I

Same.

Without AOE.

III

-----

.......

III - (2)

III

Same.

...................................................n

Head of Athena r., wearing

In field 1. and r.,

n I

Head of Athena Parthenos r.,


border of dots.

N9

A %3E
Owl r., wings closed,
standing on ainphora I
which lies on its side. Infieldr.,helmet.
All in olive wreath.

Svoronios,(1) P1. 73, ni


os. 2 2- 2 4 , 34
B. M. C. p. 78, no. 524.

Svoronos, P1. 76, no.


36-37.
B. M. C. p. 78, no. 530,

Not in Svoronos, niles


and I believe it
B. M. C. p. 79, no. 534

Svoronos, P1. 70, no. 4

III

Same.

Same.

Svoronos, P1. 73, no.


In field r., lhead
15-17, 29--31.
of poppy between B. M. C. p. 78, no. 527.
2 spears of wheat. Bellinger, Num. NYand
no. C.

III x

Same.

Same.

In field r., flower.

Svoronos, P1. 70, no. 2(

Svoronos, P1. 77, nos


In field r., Pc&xo.

n
18-21.
N. anzd
Bellinger, NYumn
no. E.

III

.A

Same.

Same.

IlI

Xt

Same.

Same.

In field r.,
kerchnos.

III v

Same.

Same.

In field r., filleted

Same.

In field r., cicade.

Svoronos, P1. 71, no. 17


38-42.
B. M. C. p. 78, nos. 52t
Bellinger, AumnN. anc
no. B.

Same.

In field r.,
cadticeus.

III 5

III o

Same.

Same.

Tyrsos.

I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~o
III 7r

Same.

Svoronos, PI. 75, ino. 1

PI 0

2!

Svoronos, Pl. 72, no.4; I


B. Al. C. p. 78, nos. 52c
Bellinger, Hunm.7V.an
I).

Sarne.

Symbols illegible.

Svoronos, PI. 79, ef. no


Svoronos, P1. 78, no.

iarer series in style.

jIiis
ears
Svoronos, (1) P1. 73, no. 11; (2) PI. 79,
B.o.

224C.
p 78 no 524.

dr.,

(2)

Charmostratos. Cf.Svoronos, P1.73,


nos. 9-10. IV Period, N.
belongs to the earlier group.

Onisilver series of Xenokles-Harmoxenos. Cf. Svoronos, Pl. 76,


held office for 3 ye,
archoinshipof Medeios,-Dinsmoor dates Medeios 101-100 B.C.
Athens, and again in 91-89 B.c. These 2 magistrates probal
2nd archonship of Medeios.

P1. 76, no. 25; P1. 79, nos.

Svoronos,

ient.

May be compared with silver series of Amphikrates-Epi,


Svoronos, P1. 62, nos. 15-27, III Period, N. S., 4th group

(1) None.

36-37.
B. M. C. p. 78, no. 530.

IV Period, N. S. These magistrates

Dated with silver series same monograms-B. M. C. p. 77, n


dated ca. 86-83 B.C.7 P1. XIII, nos. 7 and 8, also cf. Svorc
nos. 11-18.
Ferguson, H. A. p. 454 and note 6, probably
provisional government reestablished in Athens before si
| Aristion 87/6 B.c. Stindwall 87/6 B.C. Significaiitly the inscri

Not in Svoronos, unless P1. 79, no. 19 is


I believe it is same coinoone.
as
B.nd
B. M. C. p. 79, no. 534, P1. XIV, no. 2. 1

is omitted.

met. Svoronos*P1. 70,


no. 4.
Svoronos, P1. 73, no. 25; P1. 79, nos.
15-17, 29--31.
B. M. C. p. 778, no. 527.
no.M
vent Bellinger,
B . i N.m.
a4,27,
leat.
M. no. 42, p. 10,,
Num. 1N anld

iead
veen

None.

Symbol on silver series of Alketes-EuLagion.Compare Svorc


nos. 1-3. IV Period, N. S.7 series of 2 names.

2 probable btut

Symbol on silver series of Lysandros-Oiinophilos. Compar

not certain.

P1. 73, nos. 18-24.

IV Period, N. S., series of 2 na

no. C.

wer.

Svoronos, P1. 70, no. 20.

Svoronos, Pl. 77, nos. 23-25; P1. 79,


nos. 18-21.
Bellinger, NYum.N. and M. no. 42, p. 10,
no. E.

Svoronos,
SoosPI7

eted

Symbol on silver series of Sotades-Themistokles.


Compar
P1. 77, nos. 18-22. IV Period, N. S., series of 2 nai

on silver series of Mnaseas-Nestor. Compare Svoro


nos. 1-10. IV Period, N. S., series of 2 names.

P1. 75, o.11;P1.79nSymbol


i.
I79n.3No.

P
Svoronos, PI. 70, no. 25.

Svoronos, P1. 71, no. 17-18; P1. 79, nos.


38-42.
42
.
ade.8|B. B.
7S, nos.
1
nos. .a2.,-526.
M. C.
525-526.
C. p.
p. 78,
~ade.
N.~
il.
and
no.
Hum.n
42,
10,
p.
Bellinger,
no. B.

ible.

This symbol doesn't occur on any silver issue. Svoronos


in style it is to be compared witlh Architimos-Demetrios
Svoronos, P1. 70, nos. 15-19.

None.

66

Svoronos, P1. 72, no.4; P1. 79, nos. 25-28.


B. Al. C. p. 78, nos. 528-529.
Bellinger, NYunt.7V.and 31. no. 42, p. 10,
no. I).

Svoronos, PI. 79, cf. nos. 1-42.

15

Svoronos,

P1. 78, no. 10; P1. 80, nos.

Symbol on silver series of Architimos-Pammenes.


Compar
P1. 70, nos. 21-26. IV Period, N. S., series of 2 ua

None.

Symbol on silver series of Demochares-Pammenes.


Compar
P1. 71, no. 16. IV Period, N. S., series of 2 name

Symbol on silver series of Dionysios-Demostratos.


Compar
PI. 72, nos. 1-3. 2 silver and I gold. IV Period, N. S., series

On the silver

series

of Ktesi-Etima,

11 Period, N. S., wil

rer series in styl e.

er series of Amphikrates-Epistratos. Cf.


III Period, N. S., 4th group or Kointos1.73, nos. 9-10. IV Period, N. S. Probably
o the earlier group.
rmoxenos. Cf. Svoronos, Pl. 76, nos. 16-24.
strates held office for 3 years, during
)or dates Medeios 101-100 B.C. Archonsof
c. These 2 magistrates probably came in
lonship of Medeios.

Nunm.N. and 31. no. 42, p. 5, no. 3 and p. 6.


Xenokles-Harmoxenos p. 8 prefers date
146 B.C.

Dates silver series of (1) Amphikra


Epistratos ca. 104 B.a. and series (2) Koinl
Charmostratos ca. 56-55 B.C. (1) H.
p. 384. (2) H. N. p. 386.

H. N. p.. 386, dates silver 91-89

B.C.

N.* p. 388, resemble in style coins

mH.
mono(rrams-B.
MI.C. p. 77, nos. 516-522,
nos.
Svoronos, PI.
P1. 78,
nos. 77and
and8, ,also
alsoef.cf.Svoronos,
7SI
,
p. 454 and note 6, probably belongs to
b,shed in Athens before surrender of
/6 B.C. Significaintly the inscription A 8 E
is omitted.

150 .c. No place for them in monogr


j ca.
series (229-197) or in Sulla's time (

nC.86). A on amphoraindicates conform


with Athenian mint regtilation. Attribu
minit of Athenian Cleruchy
Ithem toDelos-Middle
2nd century.

Ketes-ELiagion.Compare Svoronos, P1. 70,


iod, N. S., series of 2 names.

Dates silver issue shortly after Sul]


conquest-after 86 n.c. H. N. p. 386.

,ysandros-Oinophilos. Compare Svoronos,


Period, N. S., series of 2 names.

Nun. N. randM. no.42, p. 12, no.2, dates witbh H 2V. p. 387, ca. 60 B.C. dates silver iSE
H
silver issue of Lysandros-Oinophilos.

any silver issue. Svoronos thinks that


Arcitimos-Demetrios.
eded
withi
bOmpAl'e
ArChitimOS-DemetRlOS.
Witll
Compare
P1. 70, nos. 15-19.

l Dates

Nurn. N. and M. nlo. 42, p. 5, no. 5, dates


otades-Themnistokles.
Compare Svoronos, bronze with silver of Sotades-Themistokles,
p. 8 wishes to place Sotades-Themistokles
Period, N. S., series of 2 names.
earlier than Head's dating, before 88 B.C.

Dates silver serie of Sotades-Themistol


ca. 50 B.C. H. N. p. 387.
.

Does not date silver or bronze issue

iaseas-Nestor. Compare Svoronos, P1. 75,


riod, N. S., series of 2 names.

rchitimos-Pammenes. Compare Svoronos,


Period, N. S., series of 2 names.

mochiares-Pammenes.
Compare Svoronos,
eriod,N.S.,s- eries. of2nameS.oronos,
N. S., series of 2 niames.
'eriod,

Architimos-Demetrios ca. 50
H N. p. 386.
~~~~~~.

e
of Aigustus. H. N. p.
86 B.C. to time
Nuin. N. and M. no. 42, p. 5, no. 6, on
silver series of Architimos-Pammenes pp. 7
H.-38and 8, must be earlier than Head's dating,
puts before 87 B.c.

N p.

dates silver issue Ca. 30

H. N. p. 386, dates silver of Demochar


Parmmenes after 30 .c. in the time
Alugustuis.

A'um. N. and M. no. 42, p. 13, no. 3. Says


N. 386 Sa silver series of Dionysi
a
p.
seriesseries
caduceus foundl on on
oof silver
of
i
is the last autonomous iss
is
and
Podlchar
Demostratos
.
onysios-Demostratos. Compare Svoronos,
of silver coins; after 30 BnC. Time
of 2 names. ~~~~a
S., series
gold. IV Period, N.
awfingedcaduceus
notthethesimple
,
?
simlple
winged eadulceus and no
Augtistus.
type found on our bronze series.

si-Enima, 1I Period, N. S., with series of

.ver series of (1) Amphikratesca. 104B .e. and series (2) Kointos- Dates bronze isstie with silver of Kointos-Char- |
ratos ca. 56-55 B.C. (1) H. N. mostratos, IV Period, N. S., series of 2 names.
. 384.

Prefer. 104 B.C.

(2) H. N. p. 386.

.C.
189 B.C.
siver9 91-89
atesilver
dates
p..P_.
386,86,

of Xenokles-Harmoxenos,
Dates bronze with
si'lver
IPeidN.SCa.
Period, N. S.
JI

388, resemble in style coins of


No place for them in monogram
9-197) or in Sulla's time (ca.
.on amphoraindicates conformity

C.9-9BC
91-89 Bl.C.

Probabiybeadngs8 istye

nmianmint reguilation. Attributes

minit of Athenian Cleruchy in


elos-Middle 2nd century.
ver issue shortly after Sulla's

Dates silver and bronze 1V Period, N. S., series


of 2 names.

yst-after 86 B.c. H. N. p. 386.

387, Ca.60

n.C.

dates silver issue.

rehitimos-Demetrios
H. N. p. 386.

Ca.

50

B.C.

Dates silver and bronze IV Period, N. S., series


of 2 names.

a. 60 B.C.

Dates silver and bronze IV Period, N. S., series


of 2 names.

ierseries of Sotades-Themistokles

Dates silver and bronze IV Period, N. S., series

Uncertain, but may be ca.

HI. N. p. 387.

of 2 names.

50 B.C.

Dates silver and bronze issues IV Period, N. S.,


series of 2 names.

Probably belongs 2nd half of


IV Period, 86-30 n.c.

and bronze series IV Period, N. S.,

Uncertain. In style seems to


with Mithradatescompare

wa.50

B.C.

date silver or bronze issuie of


Period,
but puts in IV Period.
buit
,qestor,
1estor,

time of Aigustus. H. N. p. 387.

386, dates silver issue ca. 30

Dates silver
B.c.

386, dates silver of Democharess after 30 B.C. in the time of


Aulgisttis.

with series of 2 names

Dates silver and bronze series IV Period, N. S"


with series of 2 names.

After 30 .c. seems correct on


account of late character of

.coins.

i36.Says silver series of Dionysios

tos is the last autonomous issue


coins; after 30 .C. Time of

Aristion issue

Dates silver, gold, and bronze IV Period, N. S.,


series of 2 names.

After30B.c. Time of Augustus.

Augtistus.

Dates the bronze with the silver series of Philokrates-Kalliphon in the IV Period, N. S., with

196-187 B.c. Ktesi-Euma,

III 7r

IV

Same.

Sarne.

Same.

AOENike flying r., holding


wreath with both hands;
all in wreatli.

Symbols illegible. I Svoronos, P1. 79, cf. no

Svoronos, P1. 78, no.


15-17.
B. M. C. p. 82, no. 560
Bellinger, Nurn. 1N.and

None.

no. H.

Same.

VI

In field 1., poppyhead, in field r.,


thunderbolt.

Sooo,P.7,n.1
B. M. C. p. 83, nos. 566
Bellinger, Num. N. anc
nio. K.

A 0 Statue of Apollo Delios


E naked, fciDg,hols stattienos.
E naked, facing, holds statueLi In field 1., cicade.
of 3 graces and strulng

Svoronos, P1. 56, nos


8 -14.
B. M. C. p. 82, no. 564,
N. am
Bellinger, NwYun.
nIO.J.

A OE Tripod.

Same.

bow.

...............

.........

A OE Artemis dressed in short


chiton, advancing r.,
holding torch in 2 hands..

Head of Athena r., wearing


crested Corinthian helmet.
Border of dots.

VlI a

.............................................................

VII ,s |Head
VII p

.........

...........

....................................-

of Artemis r., border of

---

- -------------

-----........................

Same.

dots.

,................

..... --------

------------------------------------

None.

Svoronos, PI. 73, no. I

None.

Svoronos, P1. 66, nos.


. C. p. 84 nos. 78
Bellinger, Nuon. N. 1a
j no. M.

advancing |r.,
AOEAthena adancB.
armed with helmet, spear
and aegis.

Head of Gorgon, facing.

VIII

- ----

Svoronos, P1. 737 no.


53-56.
B. M. C. p. 83, no. 573

None.

Svoronos,

IXix

A EEKerchnos, all in corn


wreath.

Dolphin r., with trident erect.


Border of dots.

PI. 77, no.

1
8.
Bel.inger,Nup90 n.

1an

no. 0.
AO Sphinx wearing modius,
E seated r., all in, -olive
wreath.

Head of Athena Padthenos r.,


border of dots,

Head of Athena Parthenos r.


border of dots.
|

XI a

None.

A Athena advancing r.,


0 E armed with helmet, spear,

Same.

XIy

Head
Head of
of Athena
Athena Parthenos
Parthenos r.,
r.,
border of dots.

XTI

XIII
xiii

Same.

!
y

|
|

Svoronos, PI. 80, nos.


B. M. C. p. 82, nos. 5(
no. 8.

In field r., owvl.

and aegis. All in wreath.


I

Xl

Svoronos, PI. 72, no. 11;


B. M. C. p. 83, nos. 5
no. 12.
Bellinger, Nurn. N. an
no. L.

Bellinger, Nuni. NV.ain


}

~~~~no.1I.
Svoronos, PI.

807

nos.

Same.

Infield r.,serpent.

B. M. C. p. 82, no. 563

Same.

Same.

Svoronos, P1. 80, no. 3

A
to r., on
A Owl
Owl to
prow of
of
on prow
0 E ship. All in olive wreath.

None.

Svoronos, P1. 807 noa


(41, 42, 44?).
B. M. C. p. 79, no. 536

A Two owls r. and 1. sur0Erondd


ywrat.None.
E rounded by,
e~~~~~~
wreatb.

!I

Svoronos, PI. 80, nos.


SvoronIos,

AOETwo owls half facing on

P1.

24,

nlOS.

ible. I Svoronos, P1. 79, cf. nos. 1-42.

1|

Svoronos, P1. 78, no. 10; P1. 80, nos.


15-17.
B. M. C. p. 82, nio. 560.
Bellinger,
no. H.
Svrns

ppyd r.
l

Nuin. 1N. andM . no. 42, p. 11, i

PI

72io_6

l.8

Nike

The tripod occurs as a symbol on the silver series of Polen


III Period, N. S., lst grotup, series of 3 namnes. Compar
P1. 50
P
0 nos.
o 8-27.

Svoronos, PI. 56, nos. 26-27; P1. 80,


nos. 8-14.
!ade. B. M. C. p. 82, no. 564, Pl. XIV, no. 9.

Apollo type used as symbol on silver series of Sokrates-Dioi


Statue points to time -when Delos was presented to Ath

Romans.

Numn. N. and 11. Ino. 42, p. 11,

nIo.J.
1
.

................------------------------------------------------------------------.-----------------------------------------...............................

None.

Svoronos, P1. 73, no. 16.

i
|Svoronos7P1. 66, nIOS. 23 anld 24.
P1. , no. 1.
678-581, an
B. i. C. p. 84, nos.
Nup8 n. N.ad858, no. 42, p. 1
Bel1inger,
no. M.

Svoronos, P1. 77, no. 15; P1. 107, nos.


1-8.
B. M. C. p. 90, no. 641, P1. XV, no. 13.
Bellinger,

Head H. 1N. p. 383. Compare Svoronos, P1. 56,

Svoronos, P1. 73, no. 17; P1. 81, nos.


53-56.
B. M. C. p. 83, no. 573.

1.

on them as symbol but nionie so nearly like the rev


coin. Compare Svoroinos, P1. 42, nos. 1-20.

o.17

Svoronos, P1. 72, no. 16; P1. 80, nos. 1-7.


B. M. C. p. 83, nos. 5669, PI.XIV, no.1
Bellinger, unzn.N. and il. no. 42, p. 11,
no. K.

Bellinger,

On the silver series of Ktesi-Euima, 11 Period, N. S., vil


2 names abbreviated, 196-187 i.c.; is the symtibolof Nike fl
right, holding a crown wvithboth hiands. 'T'liereare other

Artemis advancinig r., holding torelhwith 2 hands, is the sy


silver series of Phanokles-Apollonios, III Period, 3rd group
3 names. Cf. Svoronos, P1. 61, nos. 1-4. Behrendt Pick wk
Les Jllonnaies d'Athenes identifies
'tables in Svoronos,
the
. . . . . . . . . . . .
.
. o ro n o s,
b
u t
B
e n ti-, e d
it
. C
it
C.. ididentified
but
B.. MM?.
as lakehos p. XII SSvoronos,
The similarity of the symbol on the silver series and the
the bronze series is most striking.

Gorgoniappears as syinbol on silver series of Niketes-Dionysio


Svoronos, P1. 66, nos. 1-22. III Period, N. S., 4th grouw
3 names. Attributed to Sciathus (?) by Svoronos, bat sor

The dolphin and trident is the symbol on one of the silvi


Xenokles-Harmoxenos, IV Period, N. S., series of 2 name,
Svoronos, P1. 777 nos. 1-14.

Nmn. NY.and 11. no. 42, p. 12,

no. 0.
Svoronos, PI.7 2, no. 11; P1.80, nos. 18-21.
B. M. C. p. 83, nos. 570-572, P1. XIVr,
n. 12.
Bellinger, Nurn. N. and A1.no. 42, p. 11,IV
no. L.

ovl.

Svoronos, P1. 80, nos. 29-32.


B. M. C. p. 82, nos. 561-562, P1. XIV,
no. 8.
Bellinger, Numn.lN. and M. no. 42, p. 11,
no. I.

Svoronos, P1. 80, nos. 33 and 34.


pent.B. M. C. p. 82, no. 563.
Svoronos, P1. 80, no. 35.
Svoronos, P1. 807 nos. 37-40
(417 42, 44?).
B. M. C. p. 79, no. 536?

Svoronos, P1. 80, nos. 45-47.

8
7 others probable
but not certain.

The sphinx is the symbol on the silver series of Diophanto


Period, N. S., series of 2 names. Compare Svoronos, P1. 75

No cltue as to date.

No clue as to date. Serpent probably ani attribute of Ath(


a symbol.

None.

No clue ae to date. May be tessera.

No clue as to date.

and 43

None.

The reverse is similar to 3rd century coins, but possibly iE


lingered on and was fouind on the smaller bronze pieces
the New Style.

Svoronos, P1. 24, IIos. 60-68.

pp. 4 and 5. Probably tl

si-Etima, 11 Period, N. S., with series of


li.c.; is the symlbol of Nike flying to the|
e
xots hands. ersyibe are other series with Nurn. N. and .7. no. 42, p. 12, assigns to
othone so nearly like the reverse of twistF
voron11os, P1. 42, ios. 1-20.

1 on the silver series of Polemon-Alketes,


series of 3 names. Compare Svoronos,
50, n1os. 18-27.

H. N. p. 382, dates silver series 196-187i


2 abbreviated

period after Stilla.

YNun. N. and M. rio. 42, p. 13, dates with


silver series of Polemon-Alketes.

Iii. N. p. 383,

magistrate names.

series

dates silver

af

164B.C.

l
l
silver series of Sokrates-Dionysodo(ros).
n
3
Delos was presented to Athens by the
anve d 7. no. 42, p. 13, no; 5, dates Dates silver series 162 B.C. H. NY. P.
Nith. N.
with silver seriesof Sokrates-Dionysodo(ros).
Compare Svoronos, P1. 56, nos. 1-25.

torel with 2 hands, is the symbol on the


dlonios, III Period, 3rd group. Series of
Behrendt Pick who composes
1,nos. 1-4.
Mlonnaiesd'Athenes identifies this figure
but B. M. C. identified it as Artemis.

of
N. p.ks383, dates silver series PhaB
Ies-Apollonios

ca. 161

.C.

on the silver series and the Artemis of


series is most striking.
ilver

series of

Niketes-Dionysios.

Com.pare

Compare NYum.N. and 11. no. 42, p. 13, no. 8, dates


Ill Period, N. S., 4th group, series of j with silver series of Niketes-Dionysios.
ithus (?) by Svoronos, but some doubt.
ilver series of Niketes-Dionysios.

e symbol on one of the silver series of

11. N. p. 385, dates silver series of Niket

Dionysios ea.

Harmoxenos 91-89 B.C. in the arehons


of Medeios.

Nutm. N. and H. no. 42, p. 13, no. 7, dates 'I H. N. p. 38a, dates this silver series

in the 1st century.

with silver series of Diophantos-Aesehines.


l

cltie as to date.

?robably ani attribute of Athena and not


a symbol.
o date. May be tessera.
clue as to date.
century coins, but possibly is a type that
on the smaller bronze pieces throughout
ie New Style.
4

fractional

B.C.

H N. p. 386, dates silver series of Xenok]

NVunt.N. and 71. no. 42, p. 13, no. 9, assigns

riod, N. S., series of 2 names. Compare to silver series of Xenokles-Harmoxenos.


p. 8 prefers date ca. 146 B.C. for this series.
SJP1. 77, nos. 1-14.

the silver series of Diophantos-Aesehines,


nes. Compare Svoronos, Pl. 72, nos. 8-10.

125

ea

32, dates silver series 196-187c.


magistrate names.
breviated

Dates the bronze with the silver series of Philokrates-Kalliphon in the IV Period, N. S., with
series of 2 names. The Nike on this silver series
flys L., holds wreath in r. hand and palm in 1.
Resemblance not close.

196-187 B.c. Ktesi-Euma,


II Period, with 2 abbreviated
names.

Dates series of bronze with silver of Epigines383,

dates silver

series

after

164 B.C.

Zenon, IV Period, N. S. Although there is nothing

about this silver series that wouild warrant a


comparison with the bronze, unless Svoronos
thinks the style warrants this date.

7er series 162 D.C. H. N. P. 383.

Dates with silver series of Sokrates-Dionysodo(ros),

dates
W
silver8series3of

Phanodates silver series of Phano.es-Apollonios ca. 161 B.C.

Leukios-Antikrates,

85, dates silver series of Niketes-

Dates with silver series of Niketes-Dionysios,


III Period, N. S., 4th group, series of 3 names.

III Period, 2nd group, series with 3 names.

Probably after 161 B.c.

162B.C.

Dates the bronze issue with the silver series of

Dionysios ca. 125 B.C.

IV Period, N. S., which has

the symbol of Artemis running ., holding 2 torches


and beside her stands Demeter holding a torch.
The comparison here is far from close.

,6, datessilverseries of Xenol les- Dates silver and bronze series in the 3rd group
S., series
0os 91-89 B.C. in the archonship of Xenokles-Harmoxenos, IV Period, N.
of 2 names. Attribntes bronze series to Athenian
of Medeios.
cleruchs at Delos.

38a, dates this silver series early


in the 1st century.

Dates with silver series IV Period, N. S., series


of 2 names.

Phanokles-Apollonios.

Ca. 161 B.C.

Ca. 125

BC.?

Probably 91-89

B.C.

Early in 1st century.

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