This independent and sovereign city would soon become the typical form of Greek urban life. They were thought of as smaller independent countries that were characterized by their own type of rule. This way of life worked well within the natural topography of Greece with its various mountains and tremendous coastline. In this way, various people were able to preserve their own unique culture which would greatly influence the coinage they began to strike in the early sixth century B.C.
AEGINA
One such city-state was Aegina, located just 15 miles southeast of Athens. It was colonized by Dorians and became independent in the sixth century B.C. Maritime trade would lead to commercial prosperity, allowing Aegina to become a powerful city-state before the Persian War.
They would develop one of the earliest mints in Greece, striking the first reliable silver coins that traversed the Mediterranean. In addition to the silver obtained from trading, Aegina also possessed silver rich mines on the island of Siphnos. The highly consistent output of coins during this period resulted in many throughout Greece adopting their weight standard for coinage in the sixth and fifth centuries B.C.
It is believed that the sea turtle image seen on their early coinage refers to their prowess at sea trading and was also the sacred animal of the goddess Aphrodite. The symbology on the coinage of Aegina did evolve over the years, most notably with the type of iconic turtle that was used on the obverse. Later types seem to exhibit a land tortoise with a much boxier shell, most likely referring to Aegina’s loss of independence to Athens in 458 B.C.
Denne historien er fra December - January 2023-utgaven av COINage Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December - January 2023-utgaven av COINage Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
What Are Semi-Numismatic Coins?
COINS WORTH MORE THAN THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD
Charles C. Anderson, Sr.
NUMISMATIST OF THE CENTURY
COINS WITH MAGNIFICENT COLORS
GUIDE TO ORIGINAL TONING
John West Dannreuther
NUMISMATIST OF THE CENTURY
Today's News is Tomorrow's Coinage
COINS AS HISTORY IN YOUR HANDS
David Hall's Greatest Idea?
REGISTRY SET CONCEPT EXPANDS COLLECTING
Kagin, McCarthy SWEEP CONTEST
NUMISMATIC LITERARY GUILD TOP 2 BOOK PRIZES AWARDED
GOLD COINS IN DEMAND
FEVERISH BUYING AT $2,500 AN OUNCE
Stack's Bowers Appoints John Kraljevich as Director of Numismatic Americana
Stack's Bowers Galleries announced the appointment of John Kraljevich, COINage numismatist of the century, to the newly created position of director of numismatic Americana. Kraljevich, proprietor of John Kraljevich Americana since 2007, has been recognized time and again for his scholarship, expertise and leadership.
How the U.S. Dollar Began
THE SPANISH MILLED DOLLAR (8 REALES COIN) WAS THE BASIS FOR THE U.S. SILVER DOLLAR