Classical Numismatics Discussion
  Welcome Guest. Please login or register. 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! Expert Authentication - Accurate Descriptions - Reasonable Prices - Coins From Under $10 To Museum Quality Rarities Welcome Guest. Please login or register. 10% Off Store-Wide Sale Until 2 April!!! Explore Our Website And Find Joy In The History, Numismatics, Art, Mythology, And Geography Of Coins!!! Support Our Efforts To Serve The Classical Numismatics Community - Shop At Forum Ancient Coins

New & Reduced


Author Topic: What does it mean symmachy coinage?  (Read 1363 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Juan R

  • Consul
  • ***
  • Posts: 390
What does it mean symmachy coinage?
« on: May 25, 2019, 03:33:56 pm »
I have just seen a coin which is been solt, it is from Alontion in Sicily and said it was part of symmachy coinage, I am curious about it as I love Sicily coins, but cannot find something about, just that there were several Sicilian cities that had that kind of coins.

Any information will be really apreciated.

Thanks in advance

Offline djmacdo

  • Tribunus Plebis 2017
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 4483
  • I love this forum!
Re: What does it mean symmachy coinage?
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2019, 04:31:54 pm »
A symmachy is an alliance between two or more cities, often a military alliance.

Offline PtolemAE

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 1942
  • PtolemyBronze.com
    • The PtolemAE Project - Ptolemaic Bronzes
Re: What does it mean symmachy coinage?
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2019, 02:51:15 am »
A symmachy is an alliance between two or more cities, often a military alliance.

The term is also associated with a long period of coinage of Epeiros (Epirus) after the demise of Pyrrhos as well as some coinage of Cyrenaica and probably places in addition to the Sicilian ones.  Then there are 'league' coinages like Achaean League, Thessalian League, etc. Both appear to imply a coinage that isn't associated with a particular ruler.

PtolemAE

Offline Molinari

  • Tribunus Plebis Perpetuus
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 4549
  • My defeat, if understood, should be my glory
Re: What does it mean symmachy coinage?
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2019, 12:23:54 pm »
What was the coin?  Timoleon organized a symmachy in Sicily in the 4th century.

Offline Dino

  • Procurator Caesaris
  • IMPERATOR
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 1521
  • Anyone have change for a hemidrachm?
    • My Gallery
Re: What does it mean symmachy coinage?
« Reply #4 on: May 29, 2019, 05:18:18 pm »
Quote from: PtolemAE on May 26, 2019, 02:51:15 am
A symmachy is an alliance between two or more cities, often a military alliance.

The term is also associated with a long period of coinage of Epeiros (Epirus) after the demise of Pyrrhos as well as some coinage of Cyrenaica and probably places in addition to the Sicilian ones.  Then there are 'league' coinages like Achaean League, Thessalian League, etc. Both appear to imply a coinage that isn't associated with a particular ruler.

PtolemAE

I'm not sure i agree that Symmachy implies coinage not associated with a particular ruler or that it refers to Epeiros standing alone.  I believe that the definition given above of "an alliance, often a military alliance" is more accurate.


First, there are several coins that aren't associated with any particular ruler that are not symmachy coins.  Look at Athens owls.  Essentially the same coin was issued for a long period of time and was copied by other places as well.  The coin isn't associated with any particular ruler, but it it is certainly not a symmachy coin.

Second, Epeiros was an area made up of several different groups and tribes that was eventually united into a symmachy.  That's why that term is used for that particular issue of coinage.

Symmachy coinage is used to refer to coinage issued by members of an alliance.

Offline JBF

  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 761
Re: What does it mean symmachy coinage?
« Reply #5 on: May 29, 2019, 11:14:16 pm »
Do (symmachys) often share a type?

What is the difference between a symmachy and a monetary alliance?  How do you tell it is a symmachy from looking at the coinage (or also other evidence).  It is often fairly obvious that there is a shared alliance from coinage, but how many (if any) can we conclude that they are also sympathies.

Offline Molinari

  • Tribunus Plebis Perpetuus
  • Procurator Monetae
  • Caesar
  • *****
  • Posts: 4549
  • My defeat, if understood, should be my glory
Re: What does it mean symmachy coinage?
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2019, 07:31:11 am »
I believe Diodorus is our main source concerning Timoleon’s symmachia.  As Mac said, it is often (always?) a military alliance, not just monetary.

Offline Juan R

  • Consul
  • ***
  • Posts: 390
Re: What does it mean symmachy coinage?
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2019, 11:49:58 am »
Hi everyone, this is the coin I said, thanks so much to everyone.
It seems to be quite rare, I haven't found it anywere.

Offline JBF

  • Caesar
  • ****
  • Posts: 761
Re: What does it mean symmachy coinage?
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2019, 05:53:11 pm »
It seems like the relief is exaggerated.
wonder if the photo has been 'stacked'

Offline Brennos

  • Consul
  • ***
  • Posts: 184
Re: What does it mean symmachy coinage?
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2019, 07:43:50 am »
Yes i think that this coin is not genuine.
Nevertheless I have myself bought several great coins from that seller.
With him, the adage "know the coin or know the dealer" is reduced to "know the coin". He unfortunately suffers at least of a lack of ethic. He has left the IAPN because he has refused to refund a coin that most of specialists have condamned and there are many others stories arround involving many collectors.

Offline Juan R

  • Consul
  • ***
  • Posts: 390
Re: What does it mean symmachy coinage?
« Reply #10 on: June 02, 2019, 08:08:15 am »
Thanks for answers, I am going to post it on Fake coins, let's see if someone knows more about

 

All coins are guaranteed for eternity