DOI Artikel:
Krzyżanowska, Aleksandra: Remarks on the coins of Ptolemy VI found in Egypt
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21230#0048
The sizes of the specimens found in our excavations fali generally
between 23 mm and 18 mm in diameter. Only a few pieces can be set
apart as being larger (ca. 30 mm in diameter) or much smaller (ca. 16
mm in diameter). With allowances for the damage caused by corrosion,
they can be divided into two size groups. The first, quantitatively the
largest, includes specimens with a diameter of 23-22 mm. The next is
characterized by a diameter of 20-18 mm. These may represent two
separate denominations. Unfortunately, due both to the damage to the
coins and to the lack of appropriate conditions for weighing the indi-
vidual specimens (which remained in Egypt), we are unable to support
this surmise by appealing to the weight.
M. J. Price, in working with the double-eagle coins found in Saqqara,6
distinguished an older group, struck earlier and being longer in circula-
tion, from a later group, less worn, hidden in the earth within a shorter
span of time after being struck. The two groups differ from each other in
their average weight. Price also points out the countermark with cornuco-
pia, a thing observed on earlier coins. He interprets this fact as a sign of
the devaluation of later coinage, to which older specimens were adapted
as larger units, by proriding them with this sign, the countermark.
In our Tell Atrib excavations, unfortunately, we are unable to make
such a distinction of the state of wear - the coins were too corroded.
They were certainly not countermarked, however, with a cornucopia
stamp. This may mean that we are dealing here with later, devalued
emissions, which is perhaps indicated by their relatively smali dimen-
sions. According to Price, this size - from 24 mm to 22 mm in diam-
eter - would reflect a denomination equal to 1 /4 the basie unit. Our
second size group must have constituted a yet smaller fraction. This would
be a smali minor coin, reflecting the Iow value of the commercial trans-
actions concluded and its smali purchasing power, which accounts for its
considerable dispersion and larger involvement in circulation.
This fact may also be interpreted as a symptom of inflation, the delib-
erate reduction of the size, and surely especially of the weight, which
may oceur over a longer period.7 As regards inflation, there is informa-
6 Price, p. 160; cf. also note 2.
' Milne, p. 212: "These smali coins may have been struck in the first instance under Philometor,
and continued to be struck without nariations for over a century. "
48
between 23 mm and 18 mm in diameter. Only a few pieces can be set
apart as being larger (ca. 30 mm in diameter) or much smaller (ca. 16
mm in diameter). With allowances for the damage caused by corrosion,
they can be divided into two size groups. The first, quantitatively the
largest, includes specimens with a diameter of 23-22 mm. The next is
characterized by a diameter of 20-18 mm. These may represent two
separate denominations. Unfortunately, due both to the damage to the
coins and to the lack of appropriate conditions for weighing the indi-
vidual specimens (which remained in Egypt), we are unable to support
this surmise by appealing to the weight.
M. J. Price, in working with the double-eagle coins found in Saqqara,6
distinguished an older group, struck earlier and being longer in circula-
tion, from a later group, less worn, hidden in the earth within a shorter
span of time after being struck. The two groups differ from each other in
their average weight. Price also points out the countermark with cornuco-
pia, a thing observed on earlier coins. He interprets this fact as a sign of
the devaluation of later coinage, to which older specimens were adapted
as larger units, by proriding them with this sign, the countermark.
In our Tell Atrib excavations, unfortunately, we are unable to make
such a distinction of the state of wear - the coins were too corroded.
They were certainly not countermarked, however, with a cornucopia
stamp. This may mean that we are dealing here with later, devalued
emissions, which is perhaps indicated by their relatively smali dimen-
sions. According to Price, this size - from 24 mm to 22 mm in diam-
eter - would reflect a denomination equal to 1 /4 the basie unit. Our
second size group must have constituted a yet smaller fraction. This would
be a smali minor coin, reflecting the Iow value of the commercial trans-
actions concluded and its smali purchasing power, which accounts for its
considerable dispersion and larger involvement in circulation.
This fact may also be interpreted as a symptom of inflation, the delib-
erate reduction of the size, and surely especially of the weight, which
may oceur over a longer period.7 As regards inflation, there is informa-
6 Price, p. 160; cf. also note 2.
' Milne, p. 212: "These smali coins may have been struck in the first instance under Philometor,
and continued to be struck without nariations for over a century. "
48