Establishing Identities

The images shown on ancient Greek coins function as signs that identify the individual, place, and/or geographic region from which they were issued and produced. The first section of the exhibition Expressions of Identity in Ancient Greek Coins in the CU Art Museum is called "Establishing Identities." This section corresponds to the coins on view in the first bay of the physical installation located in the CUAM gallery. 

The first part of Establishing Identities, "The Beginnings of Coinage," addresses the earliest images portrayed on electrum and gold coins. These early images indicate who had the power and wealth to issue coins and tell us about the geographic regions in which they were minted. The second part of this section, "Expressions of Civic Identity," focuses on the coins minted by Aegina and Athens, which are examples of places whose symbols on coinage remained remarkably consistent for centuries. In addition, it examines the coinage by three Greek colonies (Leontini, Poseidonia, and Metapontum) in southern Italy. The coins of these Greek cities reflect local and regional identities simultaneously. Their regional or shared identity is demonstrated by the use of the same minting technique called "the incuse technique." The incuse technique shows the same image on both sides of the coins: one in raised relief and the other impressed (intaglio). In comparison, the cities' local civic identities are expressed by the use of symbols to distinguish their individual identity. The symbols portrayed on the coins can show patron deities, economic resources, and/or visual references to the name of the city itself, oftentimes along with abbreviated inscriptions of the city's name. 

Continue scrolling to read more about the beginnings of coinage and shared expressions of identity in the geographic region of southern Italy.

The Beginnings of Coinage

The earliest coins were made of electrum, a gold-silver mixture. We still do not know why people chose electrum, but the consistent proportions of gold and silver demonstrate sophisticated smelting techniques. 

Early coins convey information about their makers. The electrum coin depicting a deer bears the inscription “I am of Phanes,” which indicates it may have been made by an person named Phanes. The electrum coin showing a gorgon was made by the city of Cyzicus, identified by the tuna fish, the emblem of the city. The lion-and-bull coin is made of pure gold, which was an innovation in coinage made by Croesus, king of Lydia, around 580 BCE. These early coins show that the right to mint coins was not originally restricted to city governments, but individual people and kings. 

Electrum Stater, Ephesus, 625-600 BCE; Obverse: Grazing stag. Inscription ΦΑΝΕΟΣ ΕΙΜΙ (“PHANEOS EIMI” = “I am of Phanes”).

Electrum Stater, Ephesus, 625-600 BCE

Obverse: Grazing deer. 

Electrum Stater, Cyzicus, 500-450 BCE; Obverse: Gorgon head with snakes over tuna fish.

Electrum Stater, Cyzicus, 500-450 BCE

Obverse: Gorgon with tuna fish. 

Gold Stater, Sardis (Lydia), 550-546 BCE; Obverse: Roaring lion (left) facing horned bull (right).

Gold Stater, Sardis (Lydia), 550-546 BCE

Obverse: Lion (left) facing bull (right). 

Silver Tetradrachm, Athens 454-404 BCE; Obverse: Helmeted head of Athena with olive leaves and floral scroll.

Silver Tetradrachm, Athens 454-404 BCE (CUAM 2014.06.93)

Obverse: Athena. 

Silver Tetradrachm, Athens 454-404 BCE; Reverse: Owl with olive spray and small crescent. Inscription ΑΘΕ (“ATHE” = abbreviation for “of the Athenians”).

Silver Tetradrachm, Athens 454-404 BCE (CUAM 2014.06.93)

Reverse: Owl with olive sprig and small crescent. 

Silver Stater, Aegina 456-431 BCE; Obverse: Tortoise.

Silver Stater, Aegina 456-431 BCE (CUAM 2014.06.130)

Obverse: Sea turtle. 

Silver Nomos, Poseidonia, 530-500 BCE; Obverse: Poseidon, with cloak draped over upper arms, holds trident. Inscription ΠΟΣ (POS = abbreviation of Poseidonia).

Silver Nomos, Poseidonia 530-500 BCE

Obverse: Poseidon.

Silver Nomos, Metapontum, 540-510 BCE; Obverse: Narrow eight-grained barley ear with small additional terminal grains. Border of dots between two lines. Inscription ΜΕΤΑΠ (METAP = abbreviation of Metapontum).

Silver Nomos, Metapontum, 540-510 BCE

Obverse: Barley.

Silver Nomos, Metapontum, 510-470 BCE; Reverse: Incuse of barely.

Silver Nomos, Metapontum, 510-470 BCE (CUAM 2014.06.08)

Reverse: Incuse of barley. 

Expressions of Civic Identity

In ancient Greece, cities functioned like separate nation-states, and most produced their own coinage showcasing their local geographical, historical, political, and religious circumstances. Athens minted coins featuring the head of their patron goddess Athena on the obverse and an owl with olives on the reverse. This combination mattered to the Athenians, who kept the design for more than a hundred years. Aegina, an island near Athens, used simple sea turtles and tortoises for centuries to represent its maritime significance. 

The cities of southern Italy minted their coins using the "incuse technique," which displayed the same image on both sides of their coins, one in raised relief and the other impressed. Their coins were structurally very strong, but also could be very thin. The Greek colony Poseidonia stamped its coins with its patron god Poseidon. In comparison, the coins of Metapontum featured a grain of barley, showing the main resource that supported the city's economic prosperity. 

Map of the Ancient Mediterranean

This online exhibition was designed, implemented, and published by Phoebe Mock (PhD student, University of Michigan; MA in Classics, University of Colorado Boulder).