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

70 PERIOD V.
PEEIOD v.—CIRCA B.C. 280-190.
During the third century b.c, the age of the Epigoni,
the coinage throughout Asia is almost exclusively regal
some even of those cities which preserved their autonomy
issued their coins in the name of Alexander, and with the
types of his money.
In European Greece, the tetradrachms of the kings of
Macedon are the most important ; but, towards the close
of the period, after the power of Philip V. had been restricted
by the Romans, Athens once more became the
principal place of mintage in Greece ; the new Athenian
tetradrachms soon obtaining a world-wide circulation.
At Eome, silver was first coined in b.c. 268, and at the
same time the silver coinage of the parts of Italy subject
to Eome ceases. Tarentum continued to coin money
until B.C. 209.
In Sicily, Hiero II. struck coins both in his own name
and in that of Queen Philistis ; but in 212, on the capture
of Syracuse by Marcellus, the right of coining in
Sicily was monopolised by Eome.
Carthage meanwhile continued to coin largely both in
gold and silver; her dodecadrachms, with the head of
Persephone on one side, and the horse on the other, being
the largest silver coins ever issued in ancient times.
The coins of this century are especially remarkable as
presenting a series of portraits of the kings of Egypt,
Syria, Bactria, Pontus, Bithynia, Pergamus, Macedon, and
Sicily, of inestimable historical value.
Although it cannot be affirmed that in any great degree
the coins of this period reflect the best contemporary art,
it is yet instructive to compare some of the reverse types
with the remaining sculptures of the time.
The plastic art of Periods V., VI., and VII., which it is
best to group together, is characterised
(i.) By realism, striking effects, dramatic compositions.
The chief artists were—at Pergamus, Isigonus ; at
Ehodes, Agesandros, Athanodorus, and Polydorus; at
Tralles, ApoUonius and Tauriscus.
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