Agathopolis

Topography and History

Even today, identifying the location of the ancient Agathopolis/Agathokleia proves problematic. In addition to a localization on the Thracian Chersonese,¹ a location between Abdera and Maroneia has long been discussed, and an equalization with the modern Achtopol on the Black Sea coast has also been considered.² K.J. Rigsby not only sees the city’s locale as problematic, but also doubts the name Agathopolis itself. In his opinion, the abbreviated beginning of the city name in the coinage may instead be more likely to complement Agathokleia.³

Minting System and Typology

The attribution of all coins with an abbreviation of ΑΓ/ΑΓΑ/ΑΓΑΘΟ to a single mint may be questionable because of inconsistencies in image motifs and weight. The obverse of the bronzes features a man’s head to the right, short-haired and wearing a diadem. They are connected to a reverse motif showing the legend within a wreath, which is possibly divided into two weight categories;⁴ another reverse motif of an owl with two different weight categories;⁵ and, finally, to one further motif featuring a double-headed owl in one weight category.⁶ This obverse motif is also connected to a winged ⁷ or a caduceus⁸ on the reverse. There is also a barbarized version of the type with the legend in the wreath.⁹

There are also coins that have a monogram instead of the portrait on the obverse¹⁰ and can be linked to the male heads by a wreath and legend on the reverse.¹¹ The monogram can be resolved to ΑΓΑΘΟ, and these coins are addressed as Chalkoi by S. Psoma and K. Chryssanthaki-Nagle. Specimens have been found in Maroneia and Abdera,¹² indicating that they were minted in Thrace. Chryssanthaki-Nagle assumes that they were produced in Maroneia, which was temporarily renamed Agathokleia by Lysimachos in honour of his son. Based on the excavation finds, further bronzes with Maroneian motifs (horse protomo/grape) and the legend ΑΓ/ΑΓΑ are attributed to this phase of renaming.¹³

Due to the numerous uncertainties in connection with the coins featuring ΑΓ/ΑΓΑ, especially in the coin trade, there are allocations of coins that are not able to be exactly localized.¹⁴ O. Tekin and A. Erol ÖzdIzbay, among others, point out that it is likely that several places had been renamed for a short period of time, and so not every coin that features this abbreviated legend must necessarily be assigned to the Thracian Agathokleia.¹⁵

Our type catalogue represents the state of research from August 2019 and does not take into consideration any coin types that have become known later. Further information, especially about new types, is always welcome.