The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

QUAESTIONES CYKEXAICAE. 87
THIRD PERIOD.
The third period begins and ends with a change in
the silver weight standard. The beginning is marked,
as we have seen above, by the introduction (c. 435)
of the Samian standard for tetradrachms, the end by
the introduction of the Rhodian standard after 308.
The latter date we can fix with some precision.
Since
Alexander the fortunes of Gyrene had become in-
volved for better for worse with those of Egypt ;
after
a short period of revolt under Ophelias, Magas was
sent in 308 to recover the cities for his stepfather,
a task which he successfully accomplished. From
that date down to Magas's rebellion the district was
Egyptian. Now c. 305 Ptolemy changed the standard
of his satrapal coins from Attic to Rhodian. It is a
safe deduction that the issue of the Cyrenaean coins
of Rhodian weight followed that change.
Within this period (435-305) a continuous development
may be observed. Towards the close of the fifth
century magistrates' names begin to appear freely on
the coins, and the head is moved from the obverse
to the reverse. Early in the fourth century a plentiful
coinage in gold, and on a new standard, the Attic,
begins ; half a century or so later the Samian silver
standard is superseded once more by the Attic,
didrachms taking the place of tetradrachms. The
obverse type shows much variety ;
instead of the ever-
lasting bearded Ammoii we find Eros, Dionysus, and the
beardless Ammoii. Towards the close of the century
a bronze coinage is introduced.
As in the last period, the issues of Barce and Gyrene
run closely parallel in style to each other. But it is