Dolphins of Olbia: Ancient Proto Money of the Black Sea, 5th Century BC, AE, 29mm 2.35 (Wooden Box) Really Nice, a lot of detail shown. Brown toned

Dolphins of Olbia: Ancient Proto Money of the Black Sea, 5th Century BC, AE, 29mm 2.35 (Wooden Box) Really Nice, a lot of detail shown. Brown toned

SARMATIA - OLBIA Dolphin 500-400 BC. Olbia, Thrace R1 bronze

Obverse: Shape of Dolphin

Reverse: Shape of Dolphin

Catalog number: BMC.19 GC.1684 (200£) GC.1684 (200£)

The Greeks of ancient Olbia, on the Western coast of the Black Sea, did not mint round coins to use as currency. Instead, they cast bronze proto-money in the shape of the bottle-nosed dolphins that swam in the Black Sea. Dophins in Greek, are sacred fish in Greek

mythology.

Because these dolphin bronzes date to the fifth century BC, they are quite crude. But the shape of the proto-money is unmistakable

Shipping USA Only

Sku# 3018