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The Ancient Coins of Moesia

Northwestern Thrace, known as the province of Moesia Inferior in Roman times, played an important role in early monetary history. Whereas the Greek settlement in the area goes back to the 7 th century BC, it was not until the classical period that we can observe the first local coinages. The minting activity of Roman cities in the region, such as Marcianopolis and Nicopolis ad Istrum, culminated in the 2 nd and 3 rd centuries AD.

Coin of the Month

Abdera

The April 2020 Coin of the Month was selected by Desirèe Brunsch, student assistant in the Thrace project section in the Berlin Coin Cabinet. She comments on this coin from the coastal Thracian city of Abdera: “On the obverse you can see a very detailed griffin with a cicada beneath its claws, a legend and a border of dots. This suggests a high level of skill in creating the die and in production. Why is there a quadratum incusum on the back that requires little skill? What is the significance of the quadratum incusum? Why didn't they choose a more elaborate motif?”

The Coin of this Month is presented by Angela Berthold