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

Based on Kroll, John H. "The Reminting of Athenian Silver Coinage, 353 B.C." in Hesperia Vol. 80 (2011).

"Combining evidence from Athenian silver coins, an unpublished Agora inscription, and several accounts concerning historical figures, this article reconstructs the Athenian program of 353 B.C., whereby all of the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 is configured like 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 was apparently very successful. Third century hoards found at Athens do not include 5th century tetradrachms and include very few of the 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 entire ornament is often not on the flan. Dating of the various types also varies greatly. Most dealer catalog and auction listings do not differentiate between the pi-style types and date all pi-style tetradrachms c. 355 - 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) an earlier 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 transitional tetradrachms, have a more natural, eye-in-profile, and more feminine portrait then the classical style. The early transitional type continued the relatively naturalistic form of the ornament of the preceding, earlier 4th-century 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 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 (leftover) 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.



The lower tendrils of the floral ornament are longer than the earlier Pi I type and originate from the intersection of the vertical axis and the curved horizontal intersect (not yet at true pi form), the lower branches curve outward from the vertical axis for all or nearly all 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. The Pi II type was probably struck shortly after the demonetization.

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

Click for a larger photo
The outside tendrils are further outward from each other along the curved horizontal and have become verticals paralleling the central tendril (resembling the Greek letter pi). Pi III may or may not have a pellet above the earring on the obverse, and has one or two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak on the reverse. Struck on folded flans.

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

Click for a larger photoClick for a larger photo
The outside tendrils move further outward from each other along the curved horizontal, the central tendril can be exceptionally long, extending down to Athena’s ear. Pi IV may or may not have a pellet above the earring on the obverse, and has one or two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak on the reverse. Struck on folded flans.

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

Click for a larger photoClick for a larger photoClick for a larger photo
A relatively square shape and a shorter central tendril that reaches no farther than the upper edge of her helmet visor. Pi IV may or may not have a pellet above the earring on the obverse, and has 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-style 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 at the mines at Laurion, as a result of new mining leases initiated by the Athenian statesman Eubolos, who served 355 - 442 B.C. 

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

Click for a larger photo
Distinguished by the floral ornament on the helmet, which ends in a shape somewhat resembling four fingers on a hand. The type can be also distinguished by thinner features on the goddess, an owl with a broad belly with many rows of feathers, the owl does not have a pellet between the eyes, 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 is configured like 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 was apparently very successful. Third century hoards found at Athens do not include 5th century tetradrachms and include very few of the transitional type.

The chart below, from Kroll's article, page 233, shows the his 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 entire ornament is often not on the flan. Dating of the various types also varies greatly. Most dealer catalog and auction listings do not differentiate between the pi-style types and date all pi-style tetradrachms c. 355 - 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) an earlier 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 transitional tetradrachms, have a more natural, eye-in-profile, and more feminine portrait then the classical style. The early transitional type continued the relatively naturalistic form of the ornament of the preceding, earlier 4th-century 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 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.



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 and originate from the angles formed by the intersection of the central tendril and the lower tendril line (not yet at true pi form), the lower branches curve outward from the vertical axis for all or nearly all 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. The Pi II type was probably struck shortly after the demonetization.

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

Click for a larger photo
The lower tendrils are moved outward from the central tendril, originate from the curved horizontal, and paralleling the central tendril for most of their length before flairing outward (resembling the Greek letter pi). Pi III may or may not have a pellet above the earring on the obverse, and has one or two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak on the reverse. Struck on folded flans.

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

Click for a larger photoClick for a larger photo
The outside tendrils move further outward from each other along the curved horizontal, the central tendril can be exceptionally long, extending down to Athena’s ear. Pi IV may or may not have a pellet above the earring on the obverse, and has one or two rows of feathers (pellets) to the right of the owl's beak on the reverse. Struck on folded flans.

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

Click for a larger photoClick for a larger photoClick for a larger photo
A relatively square shape and a shorter central tendril that reaches no farther than the upper edge of her helmet visor. Pi IV may or may not have a pellet above the earring on the obverse, and has 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-style 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 at the mines at Laurion, as a result of new mining leases initiated by the Athenian statesman Eubolos, who served 355 - 442 B.C. 

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

Click for a larger photo
Distinguished by the floral ornament on the helmet, which ends in a shape somewhat resembling four fingers on a hand. The type can be also distinguished by thinner features on the goddess, an owl with a broad belly with many rows of feathers, the owl does not have a pellet between the eyes, 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.