The ketos coins of Caria
- ️https://independent.academia.edu/RAshton
Related papers
Turkoglu, Inci, "Civic Coinage of Keramos in Caria", Adalya 22 (2019), pp. 167-200.
Adalya, 2019
The ancient city of Keramos (modern Ören) is located on the north shore of the Gulf of Gökova, formerly the Gulf of Kerameikos and named after the city during antiquity. It was part of ancient Caria. Keramos has not been the scope of intensive surveys and systematic excavations yet; however, attempts have been made to assess the available evidence (epigraphic and literary sources) and archaeological remains. The coinage of the ancient city was only partially studied by Spanu. The recent projects of Historia Numorum Online has compiled its pre-Roman coins and Roman Provincial Coinage (Online) its Roman Imperial period coins much more comprehensively. The present study endeavours to compile civic coinage of the city from online and printed publications in addition to local museums of the region. Some private collections were also accessed. From these, conclusions have been derived that try to cast light onto the coinage of the ancient city. The types on the coins reveal information on the cults of the city; yet, there arise new questions regarding them. In particular, the archaising deity figures attested on the coins need to be further investigated.
Some remarks on the chronology of the first coins of Knossos, Crete, in ADALYA 22, 2019, pp. 145-166
Adalya 22, 2019
The present study deals with the first coins is- sued by Knossos and their current chronology, which cannot be based on firm evidence due to the absence of stratigraphical data to rely on. According to the current chronology, Gortyn and Phaistos were the first Cretan poleis to mint coins (ca. 450 BC), followed by Knossos (af- ter 425 BC). This dating shows a long delay as compared to the majority of Greek poleis, and this suggests reconsideration of the sub- ject. Three elements seem to be relevant to this purpose: the now ascertained participa- tion of some Cretan poleis in the north–south routes between the Peloponnese and North Africa; the epigraphical evidence suggesting the use of coinage in Crete at least at the end of the 6th century BC; and iconographical and stylistic analysis of Knossian first issues. In the light of the analysis proposed, even if it is not yet possible to assert with certainty the date of Knossos’ first issues, it is likely that Knossos began striking coins before 425 BC.
Two peculiar Thracian coin issues: ΔΑΝΤΗΛΗΤΩΝ and ΜΕΛΣΑ [of the Danteletai and of Melsas]
E. Paunov & S. Filipova (eds.), HPAKΛEOΥΣ ΣΩTHPOΣ ΘAΣIΩN. Studia in honorem Iliae Prokopov sexagenario ab amicis et discipulis dedicata, Veliko Turnovo 2012, 143–186., 2012
Two rare coins kept in the collection of the Social & Cultural Affairs Welfare Foundation (KIKPE), Athens, became the stimulus for other specimens to be sought and for questions to be raised, requiring further study on several levels. Danthalētai, Dentheleti, etc – the name of this minor Thracian tribe appears in several forms. The heavy bronze pieces of the Dantēlētai (head of Dionysos l. / warrior r. with curved sword and light shield, ΔΑΝΤΗΛ/ΗΤΩΝ) constitute a remarkable issue for the Thracian monetary affairs. First the variations of the ethnic name are discussed and then the iconography of the warrior (hair, sword, shield) is scrutinized, with ample literary references and correlation of archaeological parallels on occasion. Numismatic comparanda in stylistic terms are provided both for the reverse and the obverse, while the metrological data are assessed in context. The few glimpses at a known provenance lead obviously to a focal area highlighted between the northern bank of the upper course of Hebros and the Haimos mountain ridge; the role of ‘Emporion Pistiros’ (probably Adjiyska Vodenitsa, near Vetren) is also examined to an extent. All things considered, and viewed in historical perspective, a dating of this coinage in the middle of the third quarter of the 4th century BC (ca. 339–335 BC?) is thought to be quite probable. The bronze coins with the legend ΜΕΛΣΑ (filleted bucranium / fish) present an even more difficult puzzle; for starters, known and not so known pieces were traced. Discussion follows at length on the filleted bucranium and the fish while searching also for stylistic comparanda. The challenge of the strange legend (Melsa) required some necessary commentary before giving a thorough inspection at the chances for a valid interpretation. Certain options —e.g. an attribution to “a Messa of the Apolloniates” that evolved later into Anchialos— are examined and are found lacking, especially under the light of overstrike evidence (two pieces, one on AE of Philip II, the other on AE of Cassander). The latter alongside with other kinds of evidence provide a terminus post quem in or after the last fifteen years of the 4th century BC. Then argumentation is pondered on the hypothesis that the legend should correspond to an unknown so far Thracian chieftain (Melsas); this and some other possibilities towards certain civic issues are rejected. The key for deciphering this riddle seems to lie by the northern coast of the Keratios near Byzantion; close study of historical topography and other clues reveal that probably there is a connection between the site of Semystra and the ΜΕΛΣΑ coins. Several elements are taken into account, such as the filleted bucranium, etc; all in all, this may be a case of syncretism materialized in a period of dire straits, due to the Celtic presence in Thrace after 278 BC; perhaps a sanctuary in the premises of Byzantion, dedicated to the cult of a certain legendary hero Melsas, proceeded to strike a brief coin issue, possibly in association of a religious festival or an important anniversary, at a moment of temporary shortage in small change (maybe some time in the years ca. 275-250 BC). Further on the coinage in the name of Melsas see: Y. Stoyas, ‘The case of the MELSA coins: A reappraisal’, in: U. Peter & V. F. Stolba (eds), Thrace – Local Coinage and Regional Identity, Berlin 2021, 231–262.
in R. Ashton / S. Hurter (ed.), Studies in Greek Numismatics in Memory of Martin Jessop Price (London, 1998), pp. 197-223; pl. 47-50.
In conclusion, we can say that the peculiar Thasian-Thracian Union was created around and because of the rich mining zone within the southern Thracian lands. According to O. Picard, coins are the biggest testament to the large volume and importance of economic activities associated with mining operations. This slow and complex process is interconnected with coinage circulation that was self-sustaining in the mining area. Even Athens did not have the manpower and materials necessary for the establishment and development of a mine.17 Undoubtedly, Thracian rulers are those who provided Thasos, and probably Athens and other large contractors, with all the important terms and resources for a successful profitable activity in the mining area, namely political patronage, military protection, experienced ancestral miners, metal workers and coin workers, a significant amount of slaves, timber, charcoal and water. This cooperation led to the differentiation of the specific cultural and economic zone, shown by coinage circulation and the object of our study. In brief, Thasos was the motor, but the Thracian mainland was the origin and the reason for the existence of the rich small denomination silver coinage in the region of our research in the 6th–5th century BC.