Numismatic Epigraphy

On the reverses of certain coin issues of Abydos is shown a scene which can be interpreted as rather depicting Alexander the Great at the time of his crossing of the Hellespont.
Alexander’s crossing in 334 BC is significantly connected to the concept of the δορίκτητος χώρα (spear-conquered territory), a basic ideological feature during the Alexandrian and post-Alexandrian age — with interesting connotations extended also to the Roman world.
The first of these issues was struck in the name of Commodus as caesar; the suggested more precise dating of this coin emission, framed in the appropriate historical context, is quite revealing about the raison d’être for the use of the theme. Additionally, the possibility of a somehow latent anniversary (with regard to Alexander’s crossing) is also examined, at a timing hinted by a tight chronological frame. Moreover, an analogous comparandum has been sought in the Roman Provincial coin series of Smyrna, and more precisely in the case of an issue minted in the name of young Marcus Aurelius, illustrating the ‘dream of Alexander’ on the reverse.
Further issues of Abydos with the crossing scene, struck in the names of Septimius Severus, young Caracalla, Severus Alexander and Maximinus Thrax, are included in the discussion.
The whole matter can largely benefit by insights concerning the perception of the past of a city during the imperial times, alongside with the transformation of a historical of fictional past into a symbolic construct, a so-called “lieu de mémoire”.

Gitana, an ancient city in Epirus barely known from literary evidence, emerged as a major area of archaeological research rather recently via the excavations conducted there. The importance of the city as capital of the Thesprotians and as principal center for the Epirotan affairs is gradually demonstrated through impressive finds that have come to light.
Through the study of the coins excavated during years 1986-1997, a good sample has been assembled for the assessment of the coin circulation at Gitana. Alongside with an overview of the diffusion of coinage in the broader area valuable remarks can be drawn. The rarity of the Peloponnesian coins is examined in comparison to the predominant emissions circulating in Epirus, issuing authorities are highlighted and other bits of information are discussed, tracing virtually unknown contacts between the two regions.
Within the aforementioned context, from the particularly significant group of approximately 3,000 clay sealings from the correspondence archive found at Gitana, comes a highly interesting inscribed seal impression issued by the city of Dyme. In combination with the most probable terminus ante quem, an attempt is made to date the iconographic type by seeking comparanda in the coin production of the city in question and beyond.

Metrological analysis becomes an essential tool for understanding and dating the coin issues of the Acarnanian League. By constructing frequency-tables and taking into account certain literary sources and inscriptions, as well as analogous numismatic examples, it was proven that for the early coin series (late 5th c. BC) it was used a Reduced Corinthian weight standard for striking the three denominations (drachms, triobols, obol) bearing the letters F, T, E, which actually denote numerals corresponding to the nominal value of each issue (6 - 3 - 1 obols).
After adopting the proper Corinthian standard for a short while (late 4th c. BC) the Acarnanians enabled again a reduced version for minting Corinthian type staters in correspondance with numismatic changes in South Italy (early 3rd century BC). Moreover, the well-known Aetolo-Acarnanian Treaty (IG IX 12 1, 3A; ca. 260 BC), in which a rather clear reference is made to the use of the (Reduced) Corinthian standard by the Acarnanians, provides the terminus post quem for their next metrological innovation.
The introduction of new denominations (weighing approx. 10 g, 5 g and 2.5 g) in Acarnania during the late 3rd - early 2nd century BC is examined within a broader scope, in connection to other areas (Epirus, Aetolia, etc.), and some light is shed regarding the interpretation of the weight standard being the so-called ‘Korkyrean’ instead of the Reduced Aeginetan. Additionally, interesting remarks can be extracted from metrological data that highlight coin production patterns of the Acarnanian federal mint both in times of stability and unrest.

The discovery of a bronze coin of the Thessalian Confederacy dated to the imperial times and unpublished until the first years of the 21st century, led to research yielding out five more coins of this kind. Thorough study of the obverse concluded that there is depicted a wheat grain coming out of its husk. This turns out to be a revival of an old coin type, known from silver issues of the Thessalians of the 5th c. BC, where a husked wheat grain is shown. Essentially, the old reverse type (‘spelt’ grain, ethnic name “of the THESSA[lians]” in Archaic script) is transformed into the coin types of the new pseudo-autonomous issue (grain taken out from its open husk / ethnic name “of the THESSALIANS”). Remembering the past is a common trend in the Greek Imperial coin issues as shows a similar case of a coin type again of the 5th c. BC, depicting the Taurotheria (a Thessalian athletic game involving bull-fighting on horseback), that was revived during the period ca. 48-27 BC (correcting Rogers 1932, 27, Fig. 11, where “bovine centaur seizing a rearing horse” is described).
The dating of the issue wheat grain / ethnic THESSALON is mainly based on the study of the letter forms of the coin legend and on the analysis of the metrological data. All evidence points out to the times of Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD). The use of the lunate epsilon and sigma and of the cursive omega, as well as the presence of apices, especially on alpha, coincide with the the type of script employed on the coins of Thessalonica minted under Marcus Aurelius. Metrology provides more decisive results: the pseudo-autonomous emission consititutes a fourth smaller denomination to the already known three denominations of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina Junior (Rogers 1932, 41-44, Figs. 34-38; note: no olive-tree behind Athena, just her aegis on occasion). Comparing the weights and the diameters of the denominations struck previously (Hadrian) and afterwards (Septimius Severus and family) seems to confirm the attribution on the basis of the metrological variations.