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Olbia, Skythia, c. 550-430 B.C.
| The Hellenic city of Olbia was founded in the 7th century B.C. by colonists from Miletus. It was located in what is modern-day Ukraine at the convergence of the Hypanis and Borysthenes rivers, about 15 miles inland from the Northwest coast of the Black Sea. Well located for trade, its harbor was one of the main ports on the Black Sea for the export of cereals, fish, and slaves to Greece, and for the import of Attic goods to Scythia. The area was already a major grain supplier by the 5th century B.C. Small bronze dolphins were cast in Olbia, beginning around 550 - 525 B.C., at first as sacrificial objects for the worship of Apollo. Soon after their introduction it seems they were used as an early form of proto-money. Later, when proper coins came into the area, we find the cast bronze dolphins in hoards mixed along with coins, strong evidence that they were being used as money. This example is one of the largest dolphin types. |  |
SH01466. Bronze cast dolphin, cf. SNG Pushkin 15, SGCV I 1684, SNG BM 360 ff., SNG Stancomb 334 ff., SNG Cop 67 ff., VF, Olbia (Parutino, Ukraine) mint, weight 2.830g, maximum diameter 47.9mm, c. 550 - 430 B.C.; obverse dolphin with raised spine, dorsal fin and tail; very rare; SOLD
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