drachma of Emporion

MACB 329-004

Object type drachma

Culture/period Protohistoria y mundo íbero

Materials silver

Technique minting

Mint

Production date -250 / -200

Museum Museu Arqueològic Comarcal de Banyoles

Current location

Archaeological site Cova del Reclau Viver

Township Serinyà

Dimensions 18 mm diàmetre

Description

Drachma coined in the Greek colony of Emporion. On the obverse is the head of the nymph Arethusa surrounded by dolphins, while on the reverse is Pegasus, the winged horse, with his head transformed into a human figure who grabs his foot with his hands. This is interpreted by some historians as the representation of the hero Chrysaor. At the bottom of the reverse the arched legend reads in Greek εμποριτων (Emporiton). Emporitan drachmas responded to the standards of Greek currency, both in terms of metrology and iconography, which was inspired by the models of the Corinthian colony of Syracuse (Sicily). This coin was found in the Reclau Viver de Serinyà Cave, along with seven other drachmas and four Emporitan divisors. They were voluntarily hidden in the late 3rd century BC, perhaps within the framework of the Second Punic War, a conflict in which the city of Empúries precisely played a key role in facilitating the landing of Roman troops in 218 BC.

Omeka ID 3573