Details

LOT 2600

Ancient Greek Coins - Thrace - Olbia - AE Dolphin Proto Money Group [15] 6th century B.C.

Group comprising: cast 'coins' or currency pieces in the form of a bifacial dolphin. Fine.(16.86 grams total, 16-27 mm.). [15, No Reserve]

Provenance

Property of a European gentleman.

Literature

Sear 1684.

Footnotes

This unique type of coinage was cast in Olbia, in the Black Sea area of Thrace from the 5th to 3rd century BC; there are many varieties; the casting method employed was adopted by the Gallic Celts who originally came from this area; the dolphins were generally cast in a "tree" form connected by the tail, although some examples seem to have been cast individually.