DOI article:
Morawiecki, Lesław: Coins from Cossyra
DOI Page / Citation link: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21230#0138
The circumstances under which the Cossyrian coins were struck re-
main unclear, and need not be associated with a change in the city's
administrative status. Neither does it appear that they had much eco-
nomic significance. They were more an indication, in my opinion, of
a certain increase in the prosperity of the island and its political aspira-
tions. In the light of the archeological materiał, the only period of eco-
nomic growth on Cossyra occurred precisely during the reign of
Augustus. It was during this time that Cossyra established itself as a manu-
facturer of hand-made cooking vessels that retained heat for an extended
period. Such Cossyrian vessels can be found in Cos, Ostia, Sabratha, and
most likely in Sicily.39 At least partially this trade was associated with the
promulgation of Cossyrian basalt, which is found in Thurbo Maius and in
numerous towns along the Tunesian coast, from Utica through Carthage
to Thapsus. Some of the basalt Stones may not necessarily have served as
materiał for making mili Stones, but could have constituted simply ship
ballast.40 The red-brown basalt from which the millstones found in Marsala
and Mazara are made, as well as the hypocaust piles from the house in
Capo Boeo (Marsala), is also thought to have come from Cossyra.
Since Cossyra administratively constituted a part of Sicily, its attempts
to gain the status of a municipium or colonia could have coincided with
the efforts of other Sicilian cities. The year 21 BC, when Augustus gran ted
at least several Sicilian cities municipal rights and Roman colonies,41
would seem to be a likely terminus post quem for the first Cossyrian coins
with Latin legend. This does not mean, however, that Cossyra's efforts
were crowned with success. Perhaps the Cossyrians only obtained con-
sent to the striking of coins. Augustus's further administrative actions ca.
12 BC may be associated with the second and indeed finał emission. This
sort of chronology would correspond to some extent with the phases in
which Augustus's countermarks appear, while the countermark from
Nemausus would be eridence of the countermarking of Cossyrian coins,
perhaps already in the reign of Tiberius.
Translated by BRUCE MAC Q_UEEN
Wilson, pp. 257-258.
Wilson, p. 240.
Wilson, pp. 35 ff.
138
main unclear, and need not be associated with a change in the city's
administrative status. Neither does it appear that they had much eco-
nomic significance. They were more an indication, in my opinion, of
a certain increase in the prosperity of the island and its political aspira-
tions. In the light of the archeological materiał, the only period of eco-
nomic growth on Cossyra occurred precisely during the reign of
Augustus. It was during this time that Cossyra established itself as a manu-
facturer of hand-made cooking vessels that retained heat for an extended
period. Such Cossyrian vessels can be found in Cos, Ostia, Sabratha, and
most likely in Sicily.39 At least partially this trade was associated with the
promulgation of Cossyrian basalt, which is found in Thurbo Maius and in
numerous towns along the Tunesian coast, from Utica through Carthage
to Thapsus. Some of the basalt Stones may not necessarily have served as
materiał for making mili Stones, but could have constituted simply ship
ballast.40 The red-brown basalt from which the millstones found in Marsala
and Mazara are made, as well as the hypocaust piles from the house in
Capo Boeo (Marsala), is also thought to have come from Cossyra.
Since Cossyra administratively constituted a part of Sicily, its attempts
to gain the status of a municipium or colonia could have coincided with
the efforts of other Sicilian cities. The year 21 BC, when Augustus gran ted
at least several Sicilian cities municipal rights and Roman colonies,41
would seem to be a likely terminus post quem for the first Cossyrian coins
with Latin legend. This does not mean, however, that Cossyra's efforts
were crowned with success. Perhaps the Cossyrians only obtained con-
sent to the striking of coins. Augustus's further administrative actions ca.
12 BC may be associated with the second and indeed finał emission. This
sort of chronology would correspond to some extent with the phases in
which Augustus's countermarks appear, while the countermark from
Nemausus would be eridence of the countermarking of Cossyrian coins,
perhaps already in the reign of Tiberius.
Translated by BRUCE MAC Q_UEEN
Wilson, pp. 257-258.
Wilson, p. 240.
Wilson, pp. 35 ff.
138