COIN FINDS FROM KYME: HELLENISTIC PERIOD

Ünal Erdal. “Coin Finds From Kyme: Hellenistic Period”,
Obolos 8, Athens, 2006, 191-200
1. Introduction
COIN FINDS FROM KYME: HELLENISTIC PERIOD *
In this article Hellenistic coin finds from Kyme will be examined. I would like to
thank Prof. Dr. C. Bayburtluoglu and Ass. Prof. Dr. A.T. Tek for allowing me to study and
publish this material 1 .
In 1950’s, Ord. Prof. Dr. Ekrem Akurgal and his team, from Ankara University,
excavated several sites in Western Asia Minor. Their main goal was to discover early
settlements and to increase our knowledge about the cities of Western Asia Minor
Kyme (Aiolis- Namurt Limani/Izmir/Turkey) is also excavated within this project, in
1952 and 1953. The results of these excavations had been published only in one small
article 2 . But although the article mentions that the excavation area remained in very small
number of trenches the exact position of these have been lost so far.
After the excavations, the finds, including the coins were added to the collection of
Ankara University. Unfortunately the coin tickets record very minor information apart from
in which trench they were found.
Find places, names of trenches;
Coin ticket Translated form
A3 cukuru trench A3
B cukuru trench B
C cukuru trench C
D cukuru, sehir duvari, satıh trench D, city wall, profile
F cukuru trench F
S ?
geziler kutusu journey/trip box
belirsiz unknown
2. Catalogue
2.1. Kyme
350-320 B.C.
Obv. Eagle r.
Rev. Modius, K, Y.
1. 137-F cukuru from the box of 1954, 12 h. 11mm. 0,8gr. (BMC 16-20)
2. 138-F cukuru from the box of 1954, 12 h. 11mm. 2,2gr. (BMC 16-20)
*
Erdal Unal Kocaeli Universitesi Fen-Edebiyat Fak. Arkeoloji böl. 41380-Kocaeli/Turkey
erdalunal@yahoo.com
1
I would like to take this opportunity to thank also Mr. Yuksel Erimtan, who gave me financial support, which
helped me to join this congress and deliver my paper.
2
Akurgal 1956; 11-13
191

320-250 B.C.
Group I
Obv. KY Fore-part of horse r. name of magistrate
Rev. Modius, monogram.
3. K-10, 11h. 15-16mm. 3,6gr. [ΑΡΙΣ]ΤΟΦΩ[Ν], (BMC 40;)
4. K-8, 6h. 16-17mm. 4,6gr. ΕΠΚΡΑΤΗΣ, (SNG Munchen 459; SNG Cop. 74, 75 but
with a different monogram)
5. K-9, 12h. 16mm. 3,5gr. ΕΡΙΚΡΑΤΗΣ, (SNG Munchen 459; SNG Cop. 74, 75 but with
a different monogram)
6. 114-C cukuru 17.50-17.30, 5h. 16mm. 3,3gr. ΕΠ]ΙΚΡΑΤ[ΕΣ (SNG Munchen 459; SNG
Cop. 74, 75)
7. 126-A3 cukuru +70cm. from the box of 1952, 6h. 16-18mm. 4,5gr. ΕΡΜΙΑ[Σ] (BMC 41)
8. S-48, 12h.15mm. 4,2gr. [HP-AIOΣ], (BMC 46)
9. 130-F cukuru from the box of 1954, 12h. 16mm. 4,5gr. HPAIOΣ, (BMC 46 but with a
different monogram)
10. 102-C cukuru +17.50, 11h. 15-16mm.2,5gr. ΠΑΡΜΕΝΙΤΟΣ, (BMC 49)
11. S-141, 12h. 16mm. 4gr. ΠΑΡΜΕΝΙΤΟΣ, (BMC 49)
12. 132-F cukuru from the box of 1954, 12h. 17mm.3,8gr. [ΠΑΡΜΕΝ]ΙΤΟΣ, (BMC no.
49)
13. S-49, 12h. 17mm. 4,1gr. [ΠΕ∆ΙΟVΣ], (BMC 50)
14. Z-6, 2 h. 14-15mm. 3,9gr. [Σ]ΜΙΚΡΑΤΟ[Σ],
15. K-12, 11h. 17mm. 3,9gr. ]ΑΙΜΑΣ[_] ΡΑ,
16. 133-F cukuru from the box of 1954, 12h. 15mm. 4gr. ]ΘΩ[,
17. 134-F cukuru from the box of 1954, 12h. 13-15mm. 2,6gr. ]P[ ]Σ[
18. S-50, 12h. 17mm. 3,7gr. ]ΑΠ[ , Φ
19. K-11, 11h. 14-15mm. 2,9gr.
20. 131F cukuru, from the box of 1954, 12h. 15mm. 3,5gr.
21. 97-b-1+60 from the box of 1952, 12h. 15-17mm. 3,2gr.
22. S-148, 12h. 14-16mm.2,6gr.
23 23. 23
S-146, 12h. 16mm, 2,9gr.
24. S-147, 12h. 15mm. 3,5gr.
25. 150-belirsiz, 12h. 14-16mm. 3,8gr.
26. 153-belirsiz, 12h. 15mm. 3,7gr.
Group 2 3
Obv. “KY”, fore-part of horse r. ΑΡΙΣ
Rev. Modius, monogram ( ) at the left, remaining part of the name at the right ΤΟΦΟΝ
27. 128 geziler kutusu, 12h. 18mm. 5,5gr. (BMC -; SNG Aul.V-; SNG Cop.-; SNG Lev.-;
SNG Munich-; SNG Aul. Nacht. II-)
Group 3
Obv. Eagle r. name of the magistrate on left.
3 Probably this group is also a part of group one, but in this group the name of the magistrate is divided to both
sides of coin.
192

Rev. Modius, “K Y”
28. K-19, 12h. 11-12mm. 1,8gr. ΑΠ]ΟΛΛ∆Ω[ΡΟΣ (BMC. 28)
29. K-18, 12h. 13mm. 2,3gr. ΕΡΜΕΗΣΙΛ (SNG Munich 457; SNG Cop. 63- Eρµησιλαος)
30. Kavanoz-20, 1h.13mm. 2,5gr. ΕΡΜΕΣΙΛΑ•Σ (SNG Cop. 63; SNG Munich 457-
Eρµησιλαος)
31. 127-geziler kutusu, 12h. 13mm. 2gr. ]ΛΙΣΙΛ[
32. S-47, 12h. 15mm. 4,2gr. ]EP[
33. 21-Kavanoz, 1h.13mm. 2,3gr.
34. S-144, 12h.15mm. 1,7gr.
35. 162-belisiz, ?h. 09mm. 1,1gr.
36. 163-belirsiz, ?h. 09-10mm. 0,9gr.
37. 164-belirsiz, ?h. 10mm. 1,3gr.
38. 159-belirsiz, ?h. 10mm. 1,3gr.
39. 160-belirsiz, ?h. 09mm. 1,1gr.
350-250 B.C.
Group1
Obv. Head of Apollon r.
Rev. Fore-part of horse r, monogram between the legs
40. 139-F cukuru from the box of 1954, 3h. 10mm.0,9gr. (as SNG Aul. 1630)
C. 250 B.C.
Obv. Head of Amazon Kyme with diadem, border of dots.
Rev. K Y, fore-part of horse r, behind modius, beneath name of magistrate.
41. S-45, 12h. 15-16mm. 3,2gr. ΑΡΙΣΤΟΜΑΧ [ΟΣ ( SNG Aul. 1631; SNG Cop. 88; BMC
54; Lindgren 394)
42. S-46, 12h. 15-16mm. 3,0gr. ΛΕΣΒΙΟΣ (SNG Cop. 90; BMC 57)
250-190
Obv. Head of Amazon Kyme with diadem r. border of dots.
Rev. K Y, horse standing r. fore-leg rose. In front, modius, monogram, beneath name of
magistrate
43. K-13, 12h. 19-20mm. 8,9gr. ΛΑΟΝΙΚΟΣ, (BMC 64)
44. K-14, 12h. 19-20mm. 6,7gr. Λ[A]ONIK [OΣ],P (BMC 65)
45. 100-D cukuru sehir duvarı satıh/0.30, 12h. 18mm. 7,3gr. ΛΑ[ΟΝ]ΙΚΟΣ, (SNG Cop.
98; BMC 63)
46. K-15, 12h. 2,0mm. 8gr. ].APΦΑ[ ,
47. Z-35, 10h. 19-21mm. 7,7gr. [Π] ΥΘΙ [ΟΝ] (BMC 71,72)
Countermark. 07-08mm. Artemis r. bow and quiver on shoulder. (BMC 71)
48. Z-36, 12h. 21-22mm. 7,1gr.
Countermark. 07-08mm. Artemis r. bow and quiver on shoulder. (BMC 71)
49. S-51, 12h. 20mm. 6,2gr.
Countermark. 07mm. Artemis r. with bow and quiver at shoulder. (BMC.71)
50. 136-F cukuru from the box of 1954, 12h. 16-18mm. 5,8gr. ]YAP[
Countermark. 07-08mm. female head r.
51. S-52, 12h. 22mm. 9,3gr. [ΛΑΟ]ΝΙΚΟ[Σ (SNG Cop. 98)
193

52. 135-F cukuru, from the box of 1954, 12h. 16-18mm. 5,8gr. Λ[ΑΟΝΙΚΟΣ] (SNG Cop.
98)
53. 149-E cukuru 0.00-0.50/satıh, 12h. 15-17mm. 4,8gr.
55. Z-38, 12h. 18mm. 4,9gr.
55. S-53, 6h. 20mm. 8,6gr.
After 190 B.C.
Group 1
Obv. Bust of Artemis r. bow and quiver at shoulder, border of dots.
Rev. K Y , Modius, branch of laurel on each side, below name of the magistrate.
56. K-16, 12h. 16-17mm. 3,7gr. I-Ω−Ι−Λ−Ο−Σ (SNG Cop. 108; SNG Sweden 2209; BMC
87-89 )
57. K-17, 1h. 16mm. 3,6gr. Α−ΠΑ−Τ−ΟΥ−Ρ−Ι−Ο−Σ (SNG Cop. 106,107; BMC 90-92; )
Group 2
Obv. Head of Apollon r. border of dots.
Rev. Head of Artemis r. quiver at shoulder
58. S-59, 12h. 17mm. 2,2gr. ΚΥΜΑΙΩΝ (SNG Cop. 112; BMC 93, 94)
Group 3
Obv. K Y Artemis, wearing a chiton, stephane standing right bow and quiver at shoulder.
Holding a long torch in left and extending right hand to Amazon Kyme. Kyme, wearing a
short chiton, stands facing to her supporting spear with left hand.
Rev. Quadriga to r. within two figures, one of them holds a scepter.
59. 129-F cukuru, from the box of 1954, 12h. 15-16mm. 4,6gr. (BMC. 96; SNG Aul. 1644;
Lindgren I, 399; SNG Sweden 2210, 2211)
2.2. Nessos
3 rd century B.C.
Obv. Head of Apollon r. laur.
Rev. Dolphin r. beneath palm branch.
60. K-24, 12h. 19-22mm. 8,1gr. NA [ΣΙ] (BMC 5; SNG Aul. 1763; SNG Cop. 432;
Lindgren I. 433)
2.3. Ephesos
202-133 B.C.
Obv. E Φ, bee booth in wreath of laurel
Rev. Stag standing r. in front of a palm tree, name of the magistrate.
61. 122- B cukuru, 0-0.3012h. 17-18mm. 3,4gr. EP [MIAΣ] (BMC Ionia. 140)
2.4. Kolophon
323-319 B.C.
Obv. Head of Alexandros III with the lion skin, border of dots.
Rev. Zeus seated on throne left, lyre at the r. beneath the throne “A” in front P
62. AR (drachmae) K-23, 12h. 17-18mm. 4,4gr. ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟΣ (Price 1991 1768 a-c)
194

2.5. Smyrna
2 nd -1 st century B.C.
Obv. Head of Kybele turreted r. border of dots.
Rev. Statue of Aphrodite Stratonikis with a long chiton and kalatos r. her left arm resting on
short column, supports nike who holds wreath. A scepter between her and column.
63. S-54, 12h. 17-18mm. 4,8gr. ΑΠ]ΟΛΛΩΝΙ[∆ΗΣ], (BMC Ionia 20)
2.6. Unidentified Greek Coins
64. S-55, 6h. 16-19mm. 3,6gr. Obv. Head of Zeus? r. Rev. Circular incus
65. K-25, 12h. 12mm.1,9gr. Obv. Female head? Vase with two handle
66. K-26, 12h. 22mm. 7,5gr. Obv. Head of Zeus? r. Γ−Α, Rev. eagle l. beneath ]ΩΝ
67. S-143, 18mm. 8,2gr. Obv. Head r. Rev. not readable, countermark
68. S-142, 18-19mm. 5,1gr. Obv. Female head with helmet. Rev. not readable
69. 157-belirsiz, 08-09mm. 0,8gr.
3. Conclusion
During the 1952-53 excavations of
Kyme by Ankara University team, 167 coins
were found from Kyme. 69 of these are
dated to the Hellenistic period, 83 to the
Roman Period, 5 to the Byzantine period, 7
to the middle Ages. Amongst the Hellenistic
coins, most of the finds (87%) belongs to
the mint of Kyme. This is not surprising as
all but one of the coins are bronze issues and
these tend more to stay around the mints
they were issued at. Neighboring
communities are represented with very little
number of material: 1 coin from Nessos, 1
from Ephesos, 1 from Smyrna and 1 from
Kolophon. Even though our assemblage is
small, the coin circulation pattern shows the
regional trade lines of Kyme. Of course only
with the publication of more recent finds
from ongoing Kyme excavations, better
analyses of the circulation at Kyme can be
obtained.
Map 1: Origins of the coins found during
the excavations.
195

Most of the coin finds at Kyme are dated
to the second period as seen at the table above.
Unfortunately we have no documents about the
excavations, and thus we do not know whether
these form a hoard or not.
.
40
30
20
10
0
350-320 320-250 350-250 c. 250 250-190
af ter
190
2 37 1 1 14 4
Graphic 1: Coins found per
period

2 3 4
5 6 7
8 9 10
11 12 13
14 15 16
17 18 19
22 23 25
27 28 29
30 31 32

33 34 40
41 42 43
44 45 46
47 48
49
50 51 52
56 57 58
59 60 62
63

Abbreviations and Bibliography
Akurgal 1956 Ekrem Akurgal, “Phokaia Kazıları, Kyme Sondajları” Anatolia I
Ankara, 1956
Atlan 1976 Sabahat Atlan, 1947-1967 Yılları Side Kazıları Sırasında Elde
Edilen Sikkeler, Ankara, 1976.
BMC Ionia Barclay V. Head, Catalogue of the Greek Coins of Ionia in the
British Museum, London, 1892
BMC Warwick Wroth, Catalogue of the Greek Coins of Troas, Aeolis
and Lesbos in the British Museum, London, 1894
Köker 2001 Huseyin Koker, Kyzikos Kenti Tarihi Coğrafyası ve Sikkeleri,
Unpublished Graduation thesis,Eskişehir, 2001.
Lindgren I Henry C. Lindgren and Frank L. Kovaks, Ancient Bronze Coins of
Asia Minor and the Levant from the Lindgren Collection, San
Mateo, California, 1985
Price 1991 Martin Jessop Price, The Coinage in the Name of Alexander
Thegreat and Philip Arrhidaeus, Swiss Numismatic Society and
British Museum Press, Zurich and London, 1991
SNG Aul. Nacht. II Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum Deutschland, Nachtrage II,
Berlin, 1967
SNG Aul. Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum Deutschland, Vol. V, Berlin, 1959
SNG Cop. Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum the Royal Collection of Coins
and Medals Danish National Museum, Aeolis-Lesbos,
Copenhagen, 1945
SNG Fitz. Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum Fitzwilliam Museum Leake and
General Collection Part IV-Asia Minor and Phrygia-, London,
1965
SNG Sweden Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum the Collection of the Royal Coin
Cabinet National Museum of Monetary History part II,
Stockholm, 1991
SNG Lev. Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum Levis Collection in Corpus
Christi Collage Cambridge, Part I Greek and Hellenistic Coins,
London, 1972
SNG Levis Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum Levis Collection in Corpus
Christi Collage Cambridge, Part I Greek and Hellenistic Coins,
London, 1972
SNG Munchen Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum Deutschland, Staatliche
Münzsammlung Munchen 19. Heft, Munich, 1991