A guide to the principal gold and silver coins of the ancients ...

B.C. 400-336. 45.
phictyonic Council, probably when it re-assembled after
tbe termination of the Sacred War, B.C. 346, and conferred
upon Philip of Macedon the votes in the council which
had previously belonged to the Phocians.
26. Boeotia. M. Obv. Baotian shield. Rev. EPAMI. Amphora;,
above which, rosette. Wt. 188 grs.
The Boeotarch's name on this coin is that of the famous
Epaminondas.
27-29. Thebes. M, 06u. Boeotian shield. Bev. (27) QE. Infant-
Herakles, strangling serpents. Wt. 187 grs. (28) E. Amphora
enclosed in wreath of ivy-leaves and berries. Wt. 185 grs.
(29) Head of bearded Dionysus, facing, encircled by wreath of ivy.
Wt. 188 grs.
The rich floral ornamentation of the field of No. 28 isespecially
noteworthy, and resembles modern Persian
work. The head of Dionysus on No. 29 wears an ivywreath,
which apparently covers the whole head, including
the ears. The date of these coins is circ. 400-387.
Plate 23. 30. Athens. A/". 06v. Head of Athena. i2eu. A0E. Owl and olivebranch.
Wt. 132-5 grs.
Athens began to strike money in gold probably in the
year b.c. 393. Besides the stater, half staters, sixths, and
twelfths are known.
31. Corinth. JR. 06y. Pegasos flying ; beneath, kopj^a. i?eu. Head
of Athena ; behind, acanthus pattern. Wt. 132 grs.
Cf. 11. B. 25.
32. Sicyon. JR. Obv. Chimaera; beneath, head of i*iver-god
Asopus (?). Rev. Dove, flying; around, olive-wreath. Wt. 189 grs..
The Chimaera refers to the legend of Bellerophon, whoappears
to have been honoured at Sicyon no less than at
Corinth. The dove was sacred to Aphrodite, whose worship
was brought to Sicyon from Cyprus, between which
island and Sicyon there was frequent intercourse in early
times. At Sicyon was a temple of Aphrodite, and her
statue of gold and ivory by Canachus. The Asopus, on
the banks of which Sicyon stood, was famed in Greek
myth.