Клад ольвийских монет из долины р. Кучурган: новая интерпретация
Treasure of Olbia coins from the valley of the Kuchurgan river: a new interpretation

Summary/Abstract: The reconstruction of the eponymous chronology of Olbia Pontike IV-I centuries BC allowed to solve a number of a chronological problems of lapidary, magic, ceramic epigraphy, and numismatics. In particular, in 2020 year it was established that the minting of “Borysphenes” lasted for about 110 years from 330 BC until 219-217 BC with significant interruptions. This article substantiates the hypothesis that in the interval between the minting of “Borysphenes” of the middle and junior groups, another copper was minted. The hoard from the valley of the Kuchurgan river is a purse reflecting the circulation of copper coins in the Olbian polis in 240 – the beginning of 230 BC., i.e., in the chronological interval between the issue of medium and small groups of “Borysphenes”. The “Borysphenes” of the middle groups, the “Demeter-Athene-arms” and the “Bearded Deity-Dolphin” coins contain legends associated with historical figures from the decree in honour of Protogenes – Protogenes himself, also, the priest-eponyms Herodoros, Pleistarchus and, probably, Formiones. The stamp “dolphin-star” on the “Borysphenes” was carried out from 240 BC until minting was completed in 219-217 BC. The limited amount of stamping (about 8.5% of “Borysphenes”) probably had a narrow aim – for instance, to recover debts at the special rate of 1:400 to Protogenes, Kleombrotus, etc. The “Demeter-Athene-arms” coins underwent a mass recoining of the “Helium-protome” type shortly after their issue in 240 BC.

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