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Illyria-Apollonia and Dyrrhachium

Apollonia and Dyrrhachium were towns on the Illyrian coast of the Adriatic Sea.  A numismatist, Dr. Gyula Petrányi, has done a lot of work documenting this area of coinage and has been assisting me in gaining a greater understanding of the coins in our collection.  Thanks Dr. Petrányi!

The D3 class is characterized by a single symbol on the obverse and is usually in the exergue. A long Alkaios series covers this class with very few other names on the obverse and usually without an obverse border. Later coins with single symbol in the exergue usually have a border of dots and the style is less fine than the earlier classes.

The coins in the earlier classes did not spread through the Balkan region as much as the later, more common classes. Also, the only means to differentiate the early pieces with cow right and straight-line reverse is if the APOL or DYR is discernable. These coins only circulated within and between the two cities and their territories and were not exported. The double-separation line on the reverse is found more frequently on the earlier pieces than the later examples.

Dr. Petrányi's description of the reverse device lines comes from the observation of many pieces and some characteristics can be misleading in worn pieces. Late Apolloniate coins can be petals or drumsticks. Late Dyrrhachian coins are exclusively drumsticks. Early pieces can be either petal or tadpole forms.

Dr. Petrányi's chronological classification table is:

Apollonia Classes (cow faces right or left):

AR1) Cow right, obverse name abbreviated
AR2) Cow right, full obverse name, no symbols
AR3) Cow right, full obverse name, symbols or monograms
ALs) Cow left, straight stellate reverse design
ALc1) Cow left, concave stellate reverse design, symbols on obverse, V-type alpha
ALc2a) Cow left, concave stellate reverse design, no symbols on obverse, monogram sometimes in exergue, A-type alpha, drumstick rays
ALc2b) Cow left, concave stellate reverse design, no symbols on obverse, monogram sometimes in exergue, A-type alpha, petal rays

Dyrrhachium Classes (cow always faces right):

D1a) Obverse name abbreviated, abstract style
D1b) Obverse name abbreviated, classic style
D2) Full obverse name, no symbols
D3) Symbol in exergue
D4) Multiple symbols, many obverses with same reverse
D5) Only one or two obverses with same reverse

Listing of combinations of pieces I've handled and/or in my collection (entries in blue are imitative pieces):

Moneyer Magistrate City Obverse Devices Reverse Design Center Reverse Line Class
*** APOLLONIA ***
ANTALKHS ANIKATOU Apollonia None Straight stellate Vertical AR2
ARCHN AGESTRATOU Apollonia None Straight stellate Vertical AR2
NIKASIWN ALKWNOS Apollonia None Straight stellate Vertical AR2
PARMHN LUSWNOS Apollonia None Curved stellate Horizontal AR2
FILISTIWN LUSWNOS Apollonia None Straight stellate Vertical AR2
FILWTAS IERWNOS Apollonia None Curved stellate Horizontal AR2
FILWTAS SWSTRATOU Apollonia None Straight stellate Vertical AR2
SWSILOCOS TIMOXENOU Apollonia Monogram above name Straight stellate Vertical AR2
ASKLAPIADAS FILISTIWNOS Apollonia D in exergue Curved stellate Horizontal ALc1
KALLISTRATOS NIKIA Apollonia None Curved stellate Vertical ALc1
NIKANDROS ANDRISKOU Apollonia None Curved stellate Vertical ALc2a
AGIAS EPIKADOU Apollonia None Curved stellate None ALc2b
ARISTWN AINEA Apollonia None Curved stellate Vertical ALc2b
NIKHN AUTOBOULOU Apollonia None Curved stellate None ALc2b
TIMHN DAMOFWNTOS Apollonia GKPA ligate monogram Curved stellate Vertical ALc2b
*** DYRRHACHIUM ***
EUANDROU SATURHNOS Dyrrhachium None Straight stellate Vertical D2
MENISKOS KALLHNOS Dyrrhachium None Straight stellate Double Horizontal D2
MNASHN OBPIMOU Dyrrhachium None Straight stellate Double Horizontal D2
ALKAIOS ARISTOMENEOS Dyrrhachium Plow Curved stellate Vertical D3
ALKAIOS KALLIPPOU Dyrrhachium Caduceus Straight stellate Vertical D3
ALKAIOS LAHNOS Dyrrhachium Plow Straight stellate Vertical D3
ALKAIOS LUSIWNOS Dyrrhachium Cornucopiae Straight stellate Vertical D3
ALKAIOS NAARCIDA Dyrrhachium Star Straight stellate Vertical D3
ALKAIOS NIKAGELEOS Dyrrhachium Bunch of grapes Straight stellate Vertical D3
ALKAIOS NIKOMACOU Dyrrhachium Grain or corn ear Straight stellate Vertical D3
ALKAIOS PARMENISKOI Dyrrhachium Bunch of grapes Straight stellate Vertical D3
ALKAIOS SWSTRIWNOS Dyrrhachium Hound Straight stellate Vertical D3
ALKAIOS STRATWNOS Dyrrhachium Bee Straight stellate Vertical D3
ARCIMHDHS KALLIPPOU Dyrrhachium Caduceus Straight stellate Vertical D3
LEWNIDAS LUSIWNOS Dyrrhachium Cornucopiae Straight stellate Vertical D3
STRATWN KALLIPPOU Dyrrhachium Caduceus Straight stellate Vertical D3
ARIGENHS ALEPTORIOU Dyrrhachium Wreath / tripod / monogram Curved stellate Vertical D4
DIONUSIOS DAMAGEOS Dyrrhachium Eagle on thunderbolt Straight stellate Vertical D4
EUNOUS MENEKKA Dyrrhachium Eagle on thunderbolt Straight stellate Vertical D4
FILWN QEOGENEOS Dyrrhachium Head of Sol Straight stellate Vertical D4
XENWN FILODAMOU Dyrrhachium Eagle / hound Straight stellate Vertical D4
XENWN CAROPINOU Dyrrhachium Eagle / scepter / quiver Straight stellate Vertical D4
ZWPUROS DAMHNOS Dyrrhachium Grain ear / bunch of grapes Straight stellate Vertical D4
KUDIPPOS AMUNTA Dyrrhachium Pegasus (?) / rudder Straight stellate Vertical D5
MENISKOS DIONUSIOU Dyrrhachium Eagle flying right Straight stellate Vertical D5
MENISKOS KALLWNOS Dyrrhachium Nike flying right / thunderbolt Straight stellate Vertical D5
MENISKOS LUKISKOU Dyrrhachium Isis standing Straight stellate Vertical D5
XENWN DAMHNOS Dyrrhachium Eagle / scepter / grain ear (?) Straight stellate Horizontal Imitative
XENWN OLIFHOMAD Dyrrhachium Head / grain ear Straight stellate Vertical Imitative

Apollonia

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Antalkes (Moneyer), Anikatou (Magistrate), Class AR2
ANTALKHS
Cow right, calf left, no border
APOL-ANI_KA_TOU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, no border
17mm x 20mm, 3.24g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Arhen (Moneyer), Agestratou (Magistrate), Class AR2
ARXHN
Cow right, calf left, no border
APOL-AGE_STRA_TOU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, no border
16mm x 18mm, 3.26g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Nikasion (Moneyer), Alkonos (Magistrate), Class AR2
NIKA / SIWN
Cow right, calf left, no border
APOL-AL_KW_NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.29g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Parmen (Moneyer), Lysonos (Magistrate), Class AR2
PARMHN
Cow right, calf left, dot border
APOL-LU_SW_NOS
Curved, double-stellate pattern, horizontal single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 2.99g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Filistion (Moneyer), Lysonos (Magistrate), Class AR2
FILI / STIWN
Cow right, calf left, no border
APOL-LU_SW_NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, no border
18mm x 19mm, 3.11g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Filotas (Moneyer), Ieronos (Magistrate), Class AR2
FILW / TAS
Cow right, calf left, line border
APOL-IE_RW_NOS
Curved, double-stellate pattern, horizontal single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.21g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Filotas (Moneyer), Sostratou (Magistrate), Class AR2
FILW / TAS
Cow right, calf left, no border
APOL-SW_STRA_TOU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, petal rays, triple dots, no border
17mm x 18mm, 3.20g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Sosilohos (Moneyer), Timoxenou (Magistrate), Class AR2
SWSILOXOS
Cow right, calf left, line border, monogram above name (off flan)
APOL-TIMO_XE_NOU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.48g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Asklapiadas (Moneyer), Philistionos (Magistrate), Class ALc1
ASKLA / PIADAS
Cow left, calf right, D in exergue, dot border
APOL-FILI_STIW_NOS
Curved, double-stellate pattern, horizontal single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
18mm x 20mm, 2.90g

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Kallistratos (Moneyer), Nikia (Magistrate), Class ALc1
KALLI / STRATOS
Cow left, calf right, dot border
APOL-NI_KI_A
Curved, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, petal rays, triple dots, line border
16mm x 18mm, 3.49g
SNG Copenhagen 388; BMC Thessaly p. 58, 29
Ex Barry Murphy, CICF show, April 2005

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Nikandros (Moneyer), Andriskou (Magistrate), Class ALc2a
NIKANDROS
Cow left, calf right, dot border
APOL-AN_DRIS_KOU
Curved, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, drumstick rays, triple dots, line border
19mm x 20mm, 2.79g
Ex Antiquarica, eBay, September 2005

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Agias (Moneyer), Epikadou (Magistrate), Class ALc2b
AGIAS
Cow left, calf right, dot border
APOL-EPI_KA_DOY
Curved, double-stellate pattern, no separating device line, petal rays, center row of dots, line border
17mm x 19mm, 2.32g
Ex Frank Robinson, Mail Bid Auction #56, Lot 8, March 17, 2003

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Ariston (Moneyer), Ainea (Magistrate), Class ALc2b
ARISTWN
Cow left, calf right, dot border
APOL-AI_NE_A
Curved, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, petal rays, triple dots, line border
17mm, 3.27g

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Niken (Moneyer), Autoboulou (Magistrate), Class ALc2b
NIKHN
Cow left, calf right, dot border
APOL-AUTO_BOU_LOU
Curved, double-stellate pattern, no center device line, petal rays, seven dots, line border
18mm x 19mm, 3.61g

Illyria-Apollonia, AR Drachm, Timen (Moneyer), Damophon (Magistrate), Class ALc2b
TIMHN
Cow left, calf right, GKPA ligate monogram in exergue, dot border
APOL-DAMO_FWN_TOS
Curved, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, petal rays, triple dots, line-circle border
17mm, 3.17g

Notes from Dr. Petrányi on January 24, 2005: This is a Timen - Damofontos drachm from the final series of the Apolloniate cow/calf series, somewhere in the 70's BC, Class Lc2b in my relative chronology: L = cow to left; c = concave sides of the square; 2 = horizontally connected alpha (A) with monogramme or nothing in the exergue; b = petal-shape rays. This may be understood better by looking at the chronology table on my web page.

Moneyer TIMHN (Timen, another dialectical form of this name is Timon, "respect"), working for eponymos Damophon which is the Doric version of Demophon ("the voice of the people"). The missing syllable is phi - omega -nu (... fon ...).

The third syllable ...tos is the genitive suffix, usual for Greek coinage like Alexandrou for Alexander the Great. Most probably the genitive case was meant the phrase epi + the name in the genitive case = during his activity or rule.

The monogramme is an enigma. Greek letters gamma, kappa, pi, alpha; most probably for the name of a third person.
Dyrrhachium

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Euandrou (Moneyer), Satyrenos (Magistrate), Class D2
EUAN / DROU
Cow right, calf left, no border
DUR-SATU_RH_NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
18mm x 19mm, 3.28g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Note: Unusual genitive case on the obverse (instead of the usual Euandros)

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Meniskos (Moneyer), Kallenos (Magistrate), Class D2
MENISKOS
Cow right, calf left, dot border
DUR-KAL_LH_NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, horizontal double device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 19mm, 3.39g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Note from Dr. Petrányi: Despite commonly occurring Meniskos/Kallen in classes D4-D5 (both being common names), this example is a very early coin as evidenced by the lack of any obverse symbol.

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Mnasen (Moneyer), Obrimou (Magistrate), Class D2
MNA / SHN
Cow right, calf left, no border
DUR-O_BRI_MOU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, horizontal double device line, compact tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.18g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Aristomeneos (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, plow in exergue
DUR-ARI_STOME_NEOS
Curved, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
18mm x 19mm, 3.15g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Aristomneos (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, plow in exergue
DUR-ARI_STOME_NEOS
Curved, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
16mm x 17mm, 3.31g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Kallippou (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, caduceus in exergue (off flan)
DUR-KAL_LIP_POU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
18mm x 20mm, 3.38g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Kallippou (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, caduceus in exergue
DUR-KAL_LIP_POU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.40g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Laenos (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, plow in exergue
DUR-LA_H_NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
18mm, 3.24g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Laenos (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, plow in exergue
DUR-LA_H_NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.38g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Lysionos (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, cornucopiae in exergue
DUR-LU_SIW_NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
16mm x 17mm, 3.08g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Naarhida (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, star in exergue
DUR-NAAR_XI_DA
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
18mm x 19mm, 3.22g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Nikageleos (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, bunch of grapes (?) in exergue
DUR-NIKA_GE_LEOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
18mm x 19mm, 3.32g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Nikomaxou (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, line border, grain or corn ear in exergue
DUR-NIKO_MA_XOU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 19mm, 3.26g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Nikomahou (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, grain ear (or corn, off flan)
DUR-NIKO_MA_XOU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
18mm x 19mm, 3.33g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Parmeniskoi (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, bunch of grapes in exergue
DUR-PAR_MENI_SKOI
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
18mm, 3.45g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Sostrionos (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, hound in exergue
DUR-SW_STRI_WNOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
18mm, 3.45g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Sostrionos (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, hound in exergue
DUR-SW_STRI_WNOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 19mm, 3.30g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Alkaios (Moneyer), Stratonos (Magistrate), Class D3
ALKAIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, vertical bee in exergue
DUR-STRA_TW_NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.35g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Archimedes (Moneyer), Kallippou (Magistrate), Class D3
ARXI / MHDHS
Cow right, calf left, dotted border, caduceus in exergue
DUR-KAL_LIP_POU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.33g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Leonidas (Moneyer), Lysionos (Magistrate), Class D3
LEW / NIDAS
Cow right, calf left, no border, cornucopiae in exergue (off flan)
DUR-LU_SIW_NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.31g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Leonidas (Moneyer), Lysionos (Magistrate), Class D3
LEW / NIDAS
Cow right, calf left, no border, cornucopiae in exergue
DUR-LU_SIW_NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 19mm, 3.25g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Straton (Moneyer), Kallippou (Magistrate), Class D3
STRATWN
Cow right, calf left, dotted border, caduceus in exergue
DUR-KAL_LIP_POU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.47g
Ex Gorny & Mosch

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Arigenos (Moneyer), Aleptoriou (Magistrate), Class D4
ARIGENHS
Cow right, calf left, dotted border, wreath above, tripod to right, monogram in exergue
DUR-ALEP_TORI_OU
Curved, double-stellate pattern, vertical double device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 20mm, 3.09g

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Dionysios (Moneyer), Damageos (Magistrate), Class D4
DIONUSIOS
Cow right, calf left, no border, eagle on thunderbolt above
DUR-DAMA_GE_OS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, petal rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 19mm, 3.41g
Ex Brad Bowlin, CICF, April 2006

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Eunous (Moneyer), Menekka (Magistrate), Class D4
EUNOUS
Cow right, calf left, no border, eagle on thunderbolt above
DUR-ME_NEK_KA
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, petal rays, triple dots, line border
18mm x 19mm, 3.02g
Ex Greater Milwaukee Coin, Waukesha Store, December 2006

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Filon (Moneyer), Theogeneos (Magistrate), Class D4
FILWN
Cow right, calf left, head of Sol above, line border
DUR-QEO_GENE_OS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
18mm x 23mm, 3.26g
Ex Brad Bowlin, CICF, April 2006

Note: This is a very interesting piece, with a flip-over overstrike as evidenced with the missing pieces of the reverse remaining on the obverse.

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Xenon (Moneyer), Filodamou (Magistrate), Class D4
XENWN
Cow right, calf left, eagle above, hound right in exergue, dot border
DUR-FILO_DA_MOU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 19mm, 2.96g

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Xenon (Moneyer), Haropinou (Magistrate), Class D4
XENWN
Cow right, calf left, eagle standing on scepter above, quiver to right, dot border
[DUR]-XARO_PI_[NOU]
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.38g

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Zopyros (Moneyer), Damenos (Magistrate), Class D4
ZWPUROS
Cow right, calf left, grain ear to right, bunch of grapes in exergue (off flan), dot border
DUR-DA__MH_NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole device lines, triple dots, line border
18mm x 19mm, 2.86g

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Kydippos (Moneyer), Amynta (Magistrate), Class D5
KUDIPPOS
Cow right, calf left, Pegasus (?) at right, rudder in exergue, no border
DUR-A_MUN_TA
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole device lines, triple dots, line border
18mm x 20mm, 3.33g
Ex Hixenbaugh Ancient Art, Vcoins, June 2006

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Meniskos (Moneyer), Dionysiou (Magistrate), Class D5
MENISKOS
Cow right, calf left, eagle flying right above, dot border
DUR-DIO_NU_SIOU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole device lines, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.07g

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Meniskos (Moneyer), Kallenos (Magistrate), Class D5
MENISKOS
Cow right, calf left, Nike with palm flying right above, thunderbolt in exergue, dot border
DUR-KAL_LW_NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole device lines, triple dots, line border
16mm x 19mm, 3.16g
Ex Civitas Galleries, CICF Show, April 2007

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, AR Drachm, Meniskos (Moneyer), Lykiskou (Magistrate), Class D5
MENISKOS
Cow right, calf left, Isis standing left at right, dot border
DUR-LU_KIS_KOU
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole device lines, triple dots, line border
16mm x 18mm, 2.69g
Ex Silenos Coins, eBay, May 2006
Imitative Types

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, Imitative AR Drachm
ARIWEI..
Retrograde legend, cow right, calf left, Hercules' club left, bunch of grapes in exergue
LYO-ARY_ELY_OAP
Meaningless legend with some retrograde letters, straight, double-stellate pattern, horizontal single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, dot border
17mm x 19mm, 2.69g

Note from Dr. Petrányi: This low-weight imitative example is most probably imitating the Class D4 Filotas/Asklapou (grain ear right missing)

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, Imitative AR Drachm, Xenon (Moneyer), Damenos (Magistrate)
XENWN
Cow right, calf left, eagle standing on scepter above, grain ear (?) to right, dot border
DUR-DA_MH_. NOS
Straight, double-stellate pattern, horizontal single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 21mm, 3.65g
Ex Thomas Herbst, eBay, August 2005

Note from Dr. Petrányi: This example is a hybrid imitation between Xenon-Haropinou (obverse, eagle on scepter above, quiver to right) and a Damen reverse (Xenon-Damenos also exists). The nature of this hybrid is evident as the obverse symbols do not match the reverse name. Damen coins must have a grain (or corn) ear to right and bunch of grapes in the exergue on the obverse. This example is of degraded style with crude quality devices and letters. The pellet in the reverse name is simply a mistake. Sometimes these hybrid types are even heavier than the originals and were produced to be accepted as coins, not directly for deception by lower weight. Damen is the last eponymous in D4 and also worked with Xenon who continued in D5 (for example, Xenon/Haropinou).

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, Imitative AR Drachm, Xenon (Moneyer), Oliphhomad (Magistrate)
XENWN
Cow right, calf left, head right above, grain ear to left, dot border
RUD-OLIF_HOM_AD
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 20mm, 2.94g
Ex Nemesis Ancient Coins, VCoins, May 2007

Notes: This example, stylistically, is pretty close to the official types. The RUD in the reverse legend is reversed from the usual DUR.

Illyria-Dyrrhachium, Imitative AR Drachm, Xenon (Moneyer), unknown magistrate
XENWN
Cow right, calf left, dot border
(Club)-HN_.._N
Straight, double-stellate pattern, vertical single device line, tadpole rays, triple dots, line border
17mm x 18mm, 3.03g
Ex Gantcho Zagorski, eBay, October 2006

Note: The N's in the obverse legend are retrograde, the club in the reverse legend should be on the obverse and the tadpole device lines in one section are vertical and horizontal instead of the usual vertical.


After the end of the drachm production and now clearly under Roman influence, Apollonia produced silver coins in the weight of the Roman republican denarius (around 4 g) with head of Apollo on the obverse and three nymphs dancing around the fire of the Nymphaeum on the reverse. There are magistrates' names on both sides, one in the genitive case on the obverse and one or two on the reverse, in the nominative case (unlike on the drachms). Some forty different denarii have been registered representing nearly thirty years of production. Half and quarter units are also known. A systematic study of these coins by Dr. Petrányi is still pending.

Magistrate on Obverse Magistrate on Reverse
BIWNOS MNASHN


Illyria-Apollonia, AR Denarius, Mid 1st century BC, Bionos and Mnasen as Magistrates
BIWNOS
Laureate head of Apollo left
A | P | O | L
Three nymphs, hand in hand, dancing around the fire of the Nymphaeum
MNASHN in exergue
18mm x 20mm, 3.90g, 6h
Maier 139
Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Website, March 2007