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The numismatic chronicle and journal of the Royal Numismatic Society

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CHEONOLOGY OP THE COINS OF CHIOS. 897<br />

by two remarkable facts. <strong>The</strong> first is <strong>the</strong> references<br />

made to <strong>the</strong>m by Thucydides <strong>and</strong> Xenophon in pas-<br />

sages that have frequently been quoted <strong>and</strong> discussed.<br />

<strong>The</strong> second is that one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> very few finds <strong>of</strong> Chian<br />

coins, that have been scientifically described, covers<br />

practically <strong>the</strong> whole period. It seems hardly necessary<br />

to go over <strong>the</strong> ground <strong>of</strong> controversy regarding <strong>the</strong><br />

two classic references just mentioned. <strong>The</strong>re can no<br />

longer be any doubt that <strong>the</strong> expressions used both by<br />

Thucydides (viii. 101) <strong>and</strong> Xenophon (Hell. i. 6. 12)<br />

indicate <strong>the</strong> Chian tetradrachms <strong>of</strong> circa 411 <strong>and</strong><br />

406 B.C. <strong>The</strong> reo-o-epaKoo-rr) Xia <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> former, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

K Xiov 7TVTa8paxfJ-ia <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> latter, both render certain<br />

fixed sums <strong>of</strong> Chian money in terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Aeginetic<br />

currency used by <strong>the</strong> inhabitants <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Peloponnesus. 03<br />

<strong>The</strong> find in question was made near <strong>the</strong> village<br />

<strong>of</strong> Pityos, in <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn plain <strong>of</strong> Chios, <strong>and</strong> was published,<br />

several years afterwards, by Herr A. Lobbecke<br />

in Zeit. fur Num., 1887, pp. 148-57. <strong>The</strong> hoard com-<br />

prised 50 silver <strong>and</strong> 175 bronze coins <strong>of</strong> different<br />

mints. Among <strong>the</strong> former wereJJ drachms <strong>of</strong> Pixodarus<br />

<strong>of</strong> Caria in nearly mint state, 1 1 Chian drachms with-<br />

03 <strong>The</strong> expression reaa-e paKoa-rf) Xia has been recognized (Head,<br />

Hist. Num., i, p. 513) as <strong>the</strong> fortieth part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Aeginetic rnina,<br />

which, as we have seen, would be <strong>the</strong> equivalent <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> contemporary<br />

Chian tetradrachm 9,600 grains or 622 grammes -5- 40 = 240 grains<br />

or 15-55 grammes. <strong>The</strong> TrevTadpaxnia* about which more doubt has<br />

been expressed, is now admitted to be (Head, ibid., <strong>and</strong> P. Gardner,<br />

J.H.S., 1913, p. 162) not any particular coin, but a method <strong>of</strong><br />

describing two Chian tetradrachms, i.e. a five-Aeginetic-drachms'worth,<br />

since 96 grains or 6-22 grammes x 5 = 480 grains or 31-10<br />

grammes. <strong>The</strong> Guernseyman <strong>of</strong> to-day, who uses French silver<br />

coins, but thinks in values <strong>of</strong> a local currency with English names,<br />

does practically <strong>the</strong> same thing as <strong>the</strong> above when he calls a tw<strong>of</strong>ranc<br />

piece a twenty-penny. He is putting a foreign denomination<br />

into terms <strong>of</strong> his own money as succinctly as possible.

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