A Note on a Satrapal Coin with the Inscription ΔΗ/ Notatka na temat satrapiej monety z legendą ΔΗ

Jarosław Bodzek, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Institute of Archaeology

ORCID: 0000-0002-4272-4117

A Note on a Satrapal Coin with the Inscription ΔΗ

Abstract: In recent years, previously unknown coins with the depiction of the Great King and the inscription ΔΗ on the obverse and a boar protome on the reverse have surfaced on the antiquarian market. They are hemiobols struck to the reduced Milesian weight standard. Apart from the Historia Numorum Online website (HNO), the coins have not yet appeared in major Greek coin catalogues. The representation and inscription on the obverse clearly refer to one of the series of the well-known “Great King/Map of Ionia” issue. On the HNO website and in auction descriptions, the coins are dated to the 5th or 4th century, respectively, and are attributed to an unspecified Ionian or Karian mint. This paper presents their iconographic and metrological analysis, examines their relationship to the “Great King/Map of Ionia” issue, and attempts to refine the dating. The analysis has confirmed the Karian attribution of the coins, although the mint itself remains undetermined. It is proposed to narrow down the dating of the described issue to the first quarter of the 4th century or slightly later. It is also suggested that it be considered as belonging to the group known as “coins of satraps”, struck out of urgent need, perhaps to finance military activity.

Key words: Karia, Great King, hemiobol, boar protome, coins of satraps

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52800/ajst.1.18.a1

Bodzek, J. 2023. “A Note on a Satrapal Coin with the Inscription ΔΗ”, Notae Numismaticae – Zapiski Numizmatyczne 18: 15–30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52800/ajst.1.18.a1