Pages: 163-174 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp236163174
The known fact of the resumption of the issue of full-weight coins (with Demeter) in 340—330 BC in Olbia was also accompanied by the issue of its fractions. It is the first series of minted copper (subgr. Iв (Ма), Iг (Мо), IIб (Ро)). The renewal of issue of full-weight copper and its fractions was a consequence of the failure of the decimal reform by the Aristocratids; the population did not accept the reduced “obol series” (gr. 2), apparently, due to insufficient silver coins. In 333 BC, the Aristocratids tried unsuccessfully to legitimize the new monetary system by means of Canob’s decree; the copper and silver of the decree (… τὸν χαλκὸν καὶ τὸ ἀργύριο[ν]…) are “obol series” (ΑΡΙΣ, ΘΕΥ, ΦΙΛΙ, ΜΟΣΧ, ΠΑ, etc.) and silver (ΑΡΙΣ, ΜΟΣΧ). Thus, the traditional hypothesis about the mention of the full-weight copper in Canob’s decree is refuted. Subsequent episodic emission of the “obol series” (gr. 1) in 330—317 BC probably had no effect on monetary circulation; the coins were used to mint the “borysthenes” of gr. 1 until 309 BC.
Keywords: Olbia, second half of the 4th century BC, coins, monetary reform, parallel emission
Information about author:
Mykola Nikolaev (Nikolaev, Ukraine). Doctor of Historical Sciences. Izmail State University of Humanities. Repina St., 12, Ismail, 68601, Odessa reg., Ukraine
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0000-0003-3994-1150