Bisanthe

Minting System and Typology

Bisanthe (modern-day Rodosto or Tekir-dağ), like nearby Perinth, lay on the Propontis River and was founded by the Samians.¹ The city was mentioned in written sources for the first time in 430 BC.² It belonged to the Delian-Attic alliance, then to Alexander and the Diadochi. Judging by the city emissions, Bisanthe was relatively autonomous after the time of Lysimachus. However, coins were only emitted in bronze, and only during an apparently homogenous period in the 3rd century BC. A chronological internal structure of the emissions cannot be made, which is why E. Schönert-Geiss first made an order for weights and divided them into the three groups of Nominal A, B, and C.³ In her opinion, these should represent the relation 1:2:4 (where 1 coin of Nominal A = 2 coins of Nominal B = 4 coins of Nominal C).⁴ To date, these nominal levels have been assigned a total of 14 types, which are named after the iconography present on their obverses and reverses. In several cases, a type comprises only one specimen, which means that their assignment to a nominal can only be done tentatively; only the discovery of more pieces could confirm or refute their assignment. Schönert-Geiss grouped these coins into nominal levels predominantly based on the diameters of the specimens as opposed to their weight;⁵ her assignments for individual cases are therefore still quite debatable.

Whether the coins of Bisanthe were issued at the same time or in succession cannot be deduced from the material. It is more likely, however, that the series were produced at the same time.⁶ The reasoning behind this is iconographic in nature: The gods Dionysus⁷, Demeter⁸, Zeus⁹, Apollo,¹⁰ and Athena¹¹ were honoured on these coins. Presumably, therefore, not only three types – one per nominal level – were issued, but at least so many that each of the standing deities in Bisanthe was represented on the city coinage.¹²

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.