New Evidence for the Late Hellenistic Coinage of Lampsakos

Authors : Aneurin Ellis-evans

Pages : 249-261

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Publication Date : 2023-09-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This article discusses five new examples of the late Hellenistic coinage of Lampsakos (Coins A-E) which recently appeared in public auctions and make significant contributions to our understanding of this rare series. Coin A appears to be an early issue in the series which belongs with the early issue signed by Ephesios son of Theodoros. Coins B and C attest two new reverse dies and are further examples from IGCH 1322 (western Asia Minor, 1964/5), a poorly known hoard dispersed in commerce which is the key evidence for the date of this series. Coins B and C derive from a private collection assembled in the 1950s/1960s which may shed light on the other mints represented in IGCH 1322. A list of coins of Lampsakos, Abydos, and Tenedos which likely derive from the hoard is provided. Finally, Coins D and E represent a new type for the series in which Priapos is depicted full figure on the reverse and Apollo Citharoedus as the obverse portrait rather than vice versa. The depiction of Priapos without a prominently displayed phallus is an early example of the so-called ‘noble’ Priapos type and reflects how Lampsakos wanted to represent their god at this time. This was a short-lived experiment, as we see from the many depictions of Priapos on the city’s provincial coinage beginning in the reign of Augustus. Coin E is the first example of a drachm in this series and is also overstruck. Both overstriking and employing denominations other than tetradrachms are characteristic features of the Troad’s silver coinage in the early 1st century BC.
Keywords : Lampsakos, Priapos, Apollon, Define, Troas.