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Transitional Pi-Style Athenian Tetradrachms, 353 - 295 B.C.

"Combining evidence from Athenian silver coins, an unpublished Agora inscription, and several accounts concerning historical figures, this article reconstructs the Athenian program of 353 B.C., whereby all of the larger-denomination silver coinage in the city was demonetized and called in for restriking as a means of raising revenue during the fiscal crisis in the aftermath of the Social War. The folded-flan technique and erratic, substandard appearance of the resulting "pi-style" coins, attestations of their hurried production in that year, were retained in all subsequent Athenian silver coinage down into the 3rd century as recognized attributes of good Athenian money." - Abstract for John H. Kroll's "The Reminting of Athenian Silver Coinage, 353 B.C." in Hesperia Vol. 80 (2011).

Pi-style refers to the floral helmet ornament on the obverses, which on the most advanced and numerous coins in the series resembles the Greek letter pi (P) bisected by a long central tendril. On the pi-style reverse, the alpha is positioned below the head, its left diagonal wedged in the notch where the head meets the body, thus permitting every pi-style tetradrachm to be distinguished from earlier specimens of the same denomination instantaneously. Pi-style tetradrachms were probably struck from 353 to c. 297 B.C. The first pi-style tetradrachms were likely produced in 353 B.C. (as discussed in the Abstract to Kroll's article above). The last pi-style tetradrachms were probably struck in 297. The last Athenian pi-style coins were gold staters minted by the Athenian tyrant Lachares in 296 - 295. Demetrius Poliorcetes captured Athens in 294 B.C.

Athens' 353 B.C. demonetization and restriking program was apparently very successful. Third century hoards found at Athens do not include 5th century tetradrachms and include very few of the pre-demonetization early transitional type.

The chart below, from Kroll's article, page 233, shows the phases of the pi-style helmet ornament.

Differentiating between the pi-style types can be difficult because they are not very dissimilar and because the ornament is often partially off the flan. Dating of the different types in references varies. Most dealer catalog and auction listings do not differentiate between the pi-style types and very often date all pi-style tetradrachms c. 353 - 297 B.C. It is, however, possible to identify the specific pi-style type of some specimens and to date them more precisely, as discussed below. For comparison, we also show examples of an earlier classical (old style tetradrachm) the preceding transitional type tetradrachm, and a later quadridigité type tetradrachm.

Classical (Old-Style), c. 454 - 404 B.C.


Kroll 8, SNG Cop 31. On the classical old-style tetradrachms, the ornament is composed of four lines: a long, axial vertical, a curved horizontal that crosses it at the top, and two short lower branches that spring diagonally out from the vertical at its middle.

Early Transitional, c. 393 - 355 B.C.


The early transitional tetradrachms introduced a more natural, eye-in-profile, and more feminine portrait. The early transitional type continued the a relatively naturalistic form of the floral ornament, similar to that on the classical tetradrachms. The lower tendrils of the floral ornament are short arcs, detached from the rest of the ornament. The first pi-style types, discussed below, were struck with the same obverse dies used for the transitional tetradrachms. All the various pi-style tetradrachm types can, however, be distinguished from the early transitional tetradrachms by a lower position of the alpha on the reverse, below the head, its left diagonal wedged in the notch where the head meets the body. On the early transitional types the A on the reverse is higher, as seen on the example above. Other features include a pellet above the earring and another on the owl's forehead, and two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak. Early transitional tetradrachms were struck on cast flans.

Transitional Pi-Style I (Pi I), 353 - c. 352 B.C.


The first pi-style tetradrachms, struck immediately after the demonetization of older Athens tetradrachms, were struck with the same obverse dies used for the early transitional type. The lower tendrils of the floral ornament are short arcs, detached from the rest of the ornament (not yet at true pi form). Other features, which are shared with the early transitional type are a pellet above the earring and another on the owl's forehead, and two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak. All the pi-style types can, however, be easily differentiated from the early transitional types by the lower placement of the A on the reverse, below the owls head. Pi-style I tetradrachms are all struck on folded flans. After the demonetization, new coins would have been needed immediately. The older de-monetized tetradrachms were folded and hammered to create new flans for restriking. This was, apparently, quicker and cheaper than melting the old coins and casting new flans. The Pi I type was probably only struck until the existing dies wore out, perhaps for only a few weeks or months in 353 B.C.

Transitional Pi-Style II (Pi II), 353 - c. 350 B.C.

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On the Pi II type the floral ornament has not yet evolved into a complete pi shape. The upper tendrils of the floral ornament are formed by a single continuous line intersecting the central tendril (later this will become the upper bar of the pi shape). The lower tendrils are longer than the earlier Pi I type (these will later form the sides of the pi shape). The lower tendrils originate from or near the angles formed by the intersection of the central tendril and the central tendril, the lower tendrils curve and flare outward from the vertical axis for all or nearly all of their length. Pi II has a pellet above the earring on the obverse, and two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak on the reverse. All Pi II tetradrachms are struck on folded flans and were probably struck shortly after the demonetization of 353 B.C.

Transitional Pi-Style III (Pi III), 353 - c. 340 B.C.

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The Pi III type introduced the true pi-style floral ornament. The lower tendrils have moved outward from the central tendril, and originate from and perpendicular to the curved horizontal line forming the upper tendrils; they parallel the central tendril for most of their length before flaring outward. The central tendril can be exceptionally long, extending down to Athena’s ear. Pi III may or may not have a pellet above the earring on the obverse, and have one or two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak on the reverse. All are struck on folded flans.

Transitional Pi-Style IV (Pi IV), 353 - c. 340 B.C.

Click for a larger photo
Types pi III and pi IV are difficult to distinguish. The only difference is the lower/outside tendrils (sides of the pi) are further outward from the central tendril and from each other. Often, but not always, the lower/outside tendrils are about the same length as the as the curved line representing the upper tendrils (top of the pi). Like pi III, the central tendril can be exceptionally long, extending down to Athena’s ear. All are struck on folded flans.

Transitional Pi-Style V (Pi V), c. 350 - 297 B.C.

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A lower/outer tendrils (sides of pi) have about the same length as the curved line representing the upper tendrils (top of the pi). This is often described as a square shape, but it is not necessarily particularly square.  The central tendril is shorter, about he same length as the outer tendrils, and reaches no farther than and most often intersects the upper edge of the helmet visor. Pi IV may or may not have a pellet above the earring on the obverse, and have one or two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak on the reverse. This type has been found in hoards dating to 330s, indicating the type was introduced in the 340s. Some are struck on folded flans. Most are struck on cast flans. This may indicate that the pi-style evolved to pi V type early, even before the frantic pace of demonetization and restriking ended, or alternately restriking may have continued alongside striking new flans for some time. The examples struck on cast flans are probably struck on new silver obtained through new mining leases at the Laurion mines initiated by the Athenian statesman Eubolos, who served 355 - 442 B.C. 

Transitional Quadridigité, c. 286 - 262 B.C.

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Quadridigité style tetradrachms are distinguished by the floral ornament on the helmet, which ends in a shape somewhat resembling four fingers on a hand. The owl never has a pellet between the eyes and the sides of the A are curved and the cross bar does not close the letter. This type was also struck on folded flans. The significant stylistic differences between this quadridigité style and the preceding pi-style indicate the mint was probably closed for a period between the issues. The mint was probably closed during domination of Athens by Macedonia, beginning under Demetrius Poliorcetes, from 294 - 286 B.C. The quadridigité style was probably issued during the Chremonidean War, from c. 286 when Athens joined the anti-Macedonian coalition in revolt against Antigonus Gonatas, until Athens was besieged and starved into surrender in c. 262 B.C.


References

Flament, C. Le monnayage en argent d’Athènes. De l’époque archaïque à l’époque hellénistique (c. 550-c. 40 av. J.-C.). (Lovain-la-Neuve, 2007).
Kroll, John H. The Greek Coins. The Athenian Agora, vol. XXVI. (Princeton, 1993).
Kroll, John H. "The Reminting of Athenian Silver Coinage, 353 B.C." in Hesperia Vol. 80 (2011).
Nicolet-Pierre, H and J.H. Kroll. “Athenian Tetradrachm Coinage of the Third Century BC” in AJN 2 (1990). pp. 1-35.
Sverdrup, Harald U. The history and catalogue of the tetradrachms of Athens. (Stockholm, 2010).
Svoronos, J. Les monnaies d’Athenes. (Munich, 1923-26).
van Alfen, Peter G. "A New Athenian "Owl" and Bullion Hoard from the Near East" in AJN 16 - 17 (2004-05). pp. 47-61, pl. 6-17.

 

 

 

Transitional Pi-Style Athenian Tetradrachms, 353 - 295 B.C.

"Combining evidence from Athenian silver coins, an unpublished Agora inscription, and several accounts concerning historical figures, this article reconstructs the Athenian program of 353 B.C., whereby all of the larger-denomination silver coinage in the city was demonetized and called in for restriking as a means of raising revenue during the fiscal crisis in the aftermath of the Social War. The folded-flan technique and erratic, substandard appearance of the resulting "pi-style" coins, attestations of their hurried production in that year, were retained in all subsequent Athenian silver coinage down into the 3rd century as recognized attributes of good Athenian money." - Abstract for John H. Kroll's "The Reminting of Athenian Silver Coinage, 353 B.C." in Hesperia Vol. 80 (2011).

Pi-style refers to the floral helmet ornament on the obverses, which on the most advanced and numerous coins in the series resembles the Greek letter pi (P) bisected by a long central tendril. On the pi-style reverse, the alpha is positioned below the head, its left diagonal wedged in the notch where the head meets the body, thus permitting every pi-style tetradrachm to be distinguished from earlier specimens of the same denomination instantaneously. Pi-style tetradrachms were probably struck from 353 to c. 297 B.C. The first pi-style tetradrachms were likely produced in 353 B.C. (as discussed in the Abstract to Kroll's article above). The last pi-style tetradrachms were probably struck in 297. The last Athenian pi-style coins were gold staters minted by the Athenian tyrant Lachares in 296 - 295. Demetrius Poliorcetes captured Athens in 294 B.C.

Athens' 353 B.C. demonetization and restriking program was apparently very successful. Third century hoards found at Athens do not include 5th century tetradrachms and include very few of the pre-demonetization early transitional type.

The chart below, from Kroll's article, page 233, shows the phases of the pi-style helmet ornament.

Differentiating between the pi-style types can be difficult because they are not very dissimilar and because the ornament is often partially off the flan. Dating of the different types in references varies. Most dealer catalog and auction listings do not differentiate between the pi-style types and very often date all pi-style tetradrachms c. 353 - 297 B.C. It is, however, possible to identify the specific pi-style type of some specimens and to date them more precisely, as discussed below. For comparison, we also show examples of an earlier classical (old style tetradrachm) the preceding transitional type tetradrachm, and a later quadridigité type tetradrachm.

Classical (Old-Style), c. 454 - 404 B.C.


Kroll 8, SNG Cop 31. On the classical old-style tetradrachms, the ornament is composed of four lines: a long, axial vertical, a curved horizontal that crosses it at the top, and two short lower branches that spring diagonally out from the vertical at its middle.

Early Transitional, c. 393 - 355 B.C.


The early transitional tetradrachms introduced a more natural, eye-in-profile, and more feminine portrait. The early transitional type continued the a relatively naturalistic form of the floral ornament, similar to that on the classical tetradrachms. The lower tendrils of the floral ornament are short arcs, detached from the rest of the ornament. The first pi-style types, discussed below, were struck with the same obverse dies used for the transitional tetradrachms. All the various pi-style tetradrachm types can, however, be distinguished from the early transitional tetradrachms by a lower position of the alpha on the reverse, below the head, its left diagonal wedged in the notch where the head meets the body. On the early transitional types the A on the reverse is higher, as seen on the example above. Other features include a pellet above the earring and another on the owl's forehead, and two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak. Early transitional tetradrachms were struck on cast flans.

Transitional Pi-Style I (Pi I), 353 - c. 352 B.C.


The first pi-style tetradrachms, struck immediately after the demonetization of older Athens tetradrachms, were struck with the same obverse dies used for the early transitional type. The lower tendrils of the floral ornament are short arcs, detached from the rest of the ornament (not yet at true pi form). Other features, which are shared with the early transitional type are a pellet above the earring and another on the owl's forehead, and two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak. All the pi-style types can, however, be easily differentiated from the early transitional types by the lower placement of the A on the reverse, below the owls head. Pi-style I tetradrachms are all struck on folded flans. After the demonetization, new coins would have been needed immediately. The older de-monetized tetradrachms were folded and hammered to create new flans for restriking. This was, apparently, quicker and cheaper than melting the old coins and casting new flans. The Pi I type was probably only struck until the existing dies wore out, perhaps for only a few weeks or months in 353 B.C.

Transitional Pi-Style II (Pi II), 353 - c. 350 B.C.

Click for a larger photoClick for a larger photoClick for a larger photo

On the Pi II type the floral ornament has not yet evolved into a complete pi shape. The upper tendrils of the floral ornament are formed by a single continuous line intersecting the central tendril (later this will become the upper bar of the pi shape). The lower tendrils are longer than the earlier Pi I type (these will later form the sides of the pi shape). The lower tendrils originate from or near the angles formed by the intersection of the central tendril and the central tendril, the lower tendrils curve and flare outward from the vertical axis for all or nearly all of their length. Pi II has a pellet above the earring on the obverse (sometimes called an ear button), and two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak on the reverse. All Pi II tetradrachms are struck on folded flans and were probably struck shortly after the demonetization of 353 B.C.

Transitional Pi-Style III (Pi III), 353 - c. 340 B.C.

Click for a larger photoClick for a larger photoClick for a larger photoClick for a larger photo
The Pi III type introduced the true pi-style floral ornament. The lower tendrils have moved outward from the central tendril, and originate from and perpendicular to the curved horizontal line forming the upper tendrils; they parallel the central tendril for most of their length before flaring outward. The central tendril can be exceptionally long, extending down to Athena’s ear. Pi III may or may not have a pellet above the earring on the obverse, and have one or two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak on the reverse. All are struck on folded flans.

Transitional Pi-Style IV (Pi IV), 353 - c. 340 B.C.

Click for a larger photo
Types pi III and pi IV are difficult to distinguish. The only difference is the lower/outside tendrils (sides of the pi) are further outward from the central tendril and from each other. Often, but not always, the lower/outside tendrils are about the same length as the as the curved line representing the upper tendrils (top of the pi). Like pi III, the central tendril can be exceptionally long, extending down to Athena’s ear. All are struck on folded flans.

Transitional Pi-Style V (Pi V), c. 350 - 297 B.C.

Click for a larger photoClick for a larger photo
A lower/outer tendrils (sides of pi) have about the same length as the curved line representing the upper tendrils (top of the pi). This is often described as a square shape, but it is not necessarily particularly square.  The central tendril is shorter, about he same length as the outer tendrils, and reaches no farther than and most often intersects the upper edge of the helmet visor. Pi IV may or may not have a pellet above the earring on the obverse, and have one or two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak on the reverse. This type has been found in hoards dating to 330s, indicating the type was introduced in the 340s. Some are struck on folded flans. Most are struck on cast flans. This may indicate that the pi-style evolved to pi V type early, even before the frantic pace of demonetization and restriking ended, or alternately restriking may have continued alongside striking new flans for some time. The examples struck on cast flans are probably struck on new silver obtained through new mining leases at the Laurion mines initiated by the Athenian statesman Eubolos, who served 355 - 442 B.C. 

Transitional Quadridigité, c. 286 - 262 B.C.

Click for a larger photoClick for a larger photoClick for a larger photo
Quadridigité style tetradrachms are distinguished by the floral ornament on the helmet, which ends in a shape somewhat resembling four fingers on a hand. The owl never has a pellet between the eyes and the sides of the A are curved and the cross bar does not close the letter. This type was also struck on folded flans. The significant stylistic differences between this quadridigité style and the preceding pi-style indicate the mint was probably closed for a period between the issues. The mint was probably closed during domination of Athens by Macedonia, beginning under Demetrius Poliorcetes, from 294 - 286 B.C. The quadridigité style was probably issued during the Chremonidean War, from c. 286 when Athens joined the anti-Macedonian coalition in revolt against Antigonus Gonatas, until Athens was besieged and starved into surrender in c. 262 B.C.


References

Flament, C. Le monnayage en argent d’Athènes. De l’époque archaïque à l’époque hellénistique (c. 550-c. 40 av. J.-C.). (Lovain-la-Neuve, 2007).
Kroll, John H. The Greek Coins. The Athenian Agora, vol. XXVI. (Princeton, 1993).
Kroll, John H. "The Reminting of Athenian Silver Coinage, 353 B.C." in Hesperia Vol. 80 (2011).
Nicolet-Pierre, H and J.H. Kroll. “Athenian Tetradrachm Coinage of the Third Century BC” in AJN 2 (1990). pp. 1-35.
Sverdrup, Harald U. The history and catalogue of the tetradrachms of Athens. (Stockholm, 2010).
Svoronos, J. Les monnaies d’Athenes. (Munich, 1923-26).
van Alfen, Peter G. "A New Athenian "Owl" and Bullion Hoard from the Near East" in AJN 16 - 17 (2004-05). pp. 47-61, pl. 6-17.