Numismatic Circulation in the Macedonian Kingdom. The Case of Pella
p. 177-201
Texte intégral
1Excavation over the past decades at Pella has brought to light many aspects of the city’s public and domestic life1. Monumental complexes, such as the palace and the Agora, public buildings, houses, sanctuaries and cemeteries have been unearthed2. An especially interesting find is the city’s north wall of the classical period, which was built in the late 4th c. BC and was probably related to the transfer of the Macedonian capital from Aegae to Pella. This fortification was abandoned in the last quarter of the 4th c. BC, because of the city’s expansion during the reign of Cassander3. In this paper, numismatic material from the south part of Pella, south of the Classical wall, is going to be presented. This material is very important, since it derives from the city of both Classical and Hellenistic periods.
2Numismatic material under study comes from three major excavation areas (fig. 1). First, the new entrance of the archaeological site, where came to light three town blocks, in which public buildings, such as a bath, but also pottery and metal workshops have been found4. Second, the area of the sanctuaries, where the sanctuary of Darron, a local healing god of the Macedonians, as well as a circular building probably related to a hero cult and other buildings that presumably served cult needs have been excavated5. Third, the area of Phacus, the fortified island inside the river Loudias, where the city’s treasury and harbor were located, as Titus Livius informs us when describing the events of the third Macedonian war6. Finally, at plots between these areas parts of buildings, mainly houses, have also been unearthed7.
Fig. 1. Plan of Hellenistic Pella with restoration of the north wall of the Classical period.


1. North wall of the Classical period. 2. Area of the new entrance of the archaeological site. 2a. The public bath. 3. Area of the sanctuaries. 4. Agora. 5. Palace.
3From the aforementioned areas around 2 400 coins were studied. 264 coins were worn, so it was not possible to attribute them to any issuing authority. 353 of the coins were silver, while the rest were bronze. The relatively large quantity of silver coins is due to a coin hoard, numbering 307 Rhodian and pseudo-rhodian drachms, as well as tetrobols in the name of the “Macedonians” and Histiaia8. Without taking this hoard into account, silver coins, as one would expect, are relatively few9. Numismatic material form Pella can be divided in three major categories according to issuing authority; a) regal coins b) issues of the Macedonian cities and the “Macedonians” c) coins from areas outside Macedonia. Finally, the find of 17 flans and parts of bronze rods used for minting must be mentioned.
Regal coins
4Regal issues represent the largest category of coins from the Pella excavations. In total, 1 279 coins came to light or 59,9% of the identified numismatic material (fig. 2-3). The earliest issues belong to Alexander I (498-454 BC), the first Macedonian king who struck coins in the first half of the 5th c. BC10 (fig. 9a-b). Furthermore, at the Pella excavations were found 3 coins of Perdiccas II (454-413 BC, fig. 9c-d)11, 2 of Archelaus (413-399 BC, fig. 9e)12, 20 of Aeropus (396-392 BC)13, 6 of Amyntas II (392-390 BC)14, 2 of Pausanias (390-389 BC)15, 72 of Amyntas III (389-369 BC)16, 1 of Alexander II (369-368 BC)17, 24 of Perdiccas III (364-359 BC)18, 299 of Philip II (359-336 BC.)19, and 331 of Alexander III (336-323 BC)20, in whose name the majority of regal coins was struck. Also, came to light 1 coin of Philip III (323-316 BC)21, 176 coins of Cassander (316-297 BC)22, 83 of Demetrius Poliorcetes (306-283 BC)23, 16 probably of Ptolemy Keraunos (281-279 BC, fig. 10)24, 147 of Antigonus Gonatas (277-239 BC)25, 62 of Philip V (220-179 BC)26, and 30 of Perseus (178-168 BC)27 (fig. 3).
Fig. 2. Categories of coins from Pella.

Fig. 3. Regal coins per king.

5The large quantity of regal coins found at Pella is justified, because the city was one of the most important in the Macedonian kingdom and seat of the Macedonian kings. The royal mint during the Hellenistic period was probably located on the palace hill, presumably in building IV, where parts of bronze rods and a number of flans came to light28. But it cannot be excluded that some coins were also struck in block I/3, south of the Agora, where a mint was also unearthed29. Furthermore, it must be noted, that 17 flans and parts of bronze rods were found in areas south of the Classical wall, perhaps indicating the process of minting as well30.
6Regal coins of the 5th c. BC are fewer than those of the 4th c. (fig. 3). This is to be expected, because silver coins of the 5th c. were neither struck in great numbers nor did they circulate much31. Although Archelaus was the first Macedonian king who struck bronze coins, none of his bronze issues were found at Pella so far, thus strengthening the opinion stated by U. Westermark, according to whom this king issued mainly silver coins and that his bronze coins were struck in small quantities during the end of his reign32.
7During the 4th c. BC, the first king in whose name bronze coins appear in some quantity is Aeropus, who is represented by 20 issues (fig. 3). Coins of the rest of the Macedonian kings of the first half of the 4th c. BC are rather limited, excluding those of Amyntas III. The large quantity of Amyntas’ coins, in total 72, is due to his longer period of reign, which exceeded 20 years, as well as his extended military needs33.
8From the time of Philip II bronze coins appear in greater numbers, and thus seem to play a more important role in everyday economy, as has recently been supported by H. Gatzolis34. The largest quantity of regal issues from Pella was struck during the second half of the 4th c. BC in the name of Alexander III, Philip II, and Cassander35 (fig. 3). This fact is probably not accidental, and must be related firstly to the influx of wealth in the royal coffers after the campaign of Alexander III, and secondly to the intense building activity that took place in Pella during the last quarter of the 4th c. BC, when the city expanded to a large degree36.
9Apart from the kings mentioned above, a fair number of coins (83) were struck by Demetrius Poliorcetes (fig. 3). These are mainly issues of the type Macedonian shield with monogram
helmet. The attribution of this type to Demetrius Poliorcetes that has been proved by recent research is further supported by the finds from Pella, since this type is connected to archaeological strata of the first half of the 3rd c. BC37. Most of these coins are small bronze denominations that weigh around 3-5 grams, but also 3 coins weighing no more than 1 gram were found. It is highly possible that these coins were minted primarily in order to cover everyday needs.
10Especially interesting is the find of 16 issues bearing the monogram
on the reverse (fig. 3 and 10). These coins were attributed to the mint of Paroreia by H. Gaebler and were dated in the 2nd c. BC38. According to S. Psoma, they can be attributed to the Macedonian king Ptolemy Keraunos, and should be dated in his short period of reign (281-279 BC). This opinion is strengthened by iconographic and metrological comparison of the aforementioned coins with those of the Ptolemies and Pyrrhus of Epirus39. The find of coins with the monogram
in a well dated stratum of the 3rd c. BC at a pottery workshop in Pella strengthens Psoma’s opinion, at least regarding the dating problem. In one particular case, a coin of the type Zeus/eagle standing on thunderbolt (denomination A) was found with an issue of Cassander40.
11The 147 coins in the name of Antigonus Gonatas represent around 11,5% of the regal coins that were found at Pella (fig. 3). This quantity of coins is justified considering the long period of Antigonus’ reign. The majority of coins belong to the types Athena/Pan erecting trophy (86) and Macedonian shield with monogram/helmet (40), while some issues of the type Heracles/horseman (23) were also found. According to Α. Furtwängler, many of these issues, especially those of the type Heracles/horseman, should be attributed to Antigonus III Doson41. Instead, V. Poulios supported the opinion that only coins of Antigonus Gonatas with countermarks should be ascribed to his successors42. At Pella, 11 countermarked coins of Antigonus Gonatas were identified, which represent around 7,5% of his coinage. These mainly follow the type Athena/Pan erecting trophy and bear various countermarks, such as the head of Heracles (4), the head of Pan (2), the symbol
(2), and others that are indiscreet (3)43. Unfortunately, excavation data from Pella cannot contribute decisively to the dating of the coins of Antigonus Gonatas and his successors, because these coins were used for a long period of time, even in the 2nd c. BC44. Finally, extremely interesting is the discovery of a barbaric imitation of Gonatas’ type Athena/Pan erecting trophy45.
12In contrast to the coinage in the name of Antigonus Gonatas, the 62 coins that are attributed to Philip V represent a rather small number (fig. 3). This fact disagrees with Philip V’s long period of reign that exceeded 40 years. Furthermore, during his lifetime Philip practiced warfare allover Greece, and fought against Rome as well. In addition, a great number of coin types have been ascribed to his mints. Taking these facts into account, a much greater quantity of coinage should be expected in order to cover local economy as well as military needs. In this specific case, the opinion stated by I. Touratsoglou, that the Romans reminted the coins of the last two Macedonian kings, Philip V and Perseus, seems highly plausible46. This opinion also comes to an agreement with the relatively small number of coins (30) from the Pella excavations that are attributed to Perseus47.
Issues of the Macedonian cites and the “Macedonians”
13Issues of the Macedonian cities and the “Macedonians” represent the second largest category of coins that were found at the Pella excavations, without taking into account coin hoard n° 448. The 359 coins that were identified represent around 16,8%, of the identified numismatic material (fig. 2). These can be classified to two categories of issues; those of the 4th c. BC, which are represented by Pydna and Philippoi, and those of the second and 1st c. BC that were struck by Pella, Thessaloniki, Amphipolis and the “Macedonians”.
14From the end of the first quarter of the 4th c. BC the city of Pydna at Pieria struck bronze coins using the iconographic type Heracles/eagle devouring snake of Amyntas III, thus showing its dependency on the Macedonian kingdom. At the Pella excavations only 4 coins of Pydna were identified. Half of them follow the type of Amyntas’ coinage, while the others are represented by the type female head/owl that is influenced by Athenian models49.
15The city of Philippoi, in eastern Macedonia, during the second half of the 4th c. BC struck significant quantities of coins that regularly appear in coin hoards with issues of Philip II and Alexander III. At the Pella excavations were found 18 bronze coins of Philippoi, all of the type Heracles/tripod. Their relatively large number confirms that these issues circulated to an extent within the Macedonian kingdom50.
16Coins of the 2nd c. BC that were struck by the Macedonian cities and the “Macedonians” are much more numerous than those of the fourth century and are related to a tantalizing dating problem. According to earlier opinions, the right to strike coins to the cities of Pella, Thessaloniki and Amphipolis, as well as the “Macedonians”, was given by the last two Antigonid kings, Philip V and Perseus, in order to strengthen local economy51. But according to most recent views, while coins of the “Macedonians” could be dated to the time of the kings mentioned above, those of the cities were struck after the roman conquest of Macedonia, specifically after the battle of Pydna (168/167 BC) or after the formation of the roman province of Macedonia (148 BC)52.
17Excavation finds and coin hoards from Pella and other Macedonian cities seem to favor the dating of the autonomous city coinage after the roman conquest. Specifically, at Pella these issues appear in strata of the second half of the 2nd c. BC, or those of the early 1st c. BC. For example, at trial trenches dug underneath the third architectural phase of the public bath, coins of Pella and Thessaloniki were found with pottery of the second half of the 2nd c. BC53 (fig. 11-12). Furthermore, in coin hoards when coins of the cities appear in great numbers, those of Philip V and Perseus are extremely few or nonexistent54. Characteristic is the example of three coin hoards (n° 5-7) that were found at Pella. These hoards consist almost exclusively of autonomous city issues and completely lack regal coins of the last two kings of Macedonia55.
18As is expected, most of the autonomous city coins from the numismatic material under study can be attributed to the mint of Pella. The 152 coins of Pella represent around 53,9% of the total amount of 2nd and 1st c. BC Macedonian civic issues (fig. 4). Most of the coins belong to the types Athena/grazing cow (54), Pan/Athena (38), Apollo/tripod (24), and Poseidon/bull (20)56. These seem to be the main types of Pella’s coinage as is deducted by their frequent appearance in coin hoards as well. The mint of Pella was probably located in building I/3, south of the Agora, where a metallurgy kiln, as well as metal rods and flans were found57.
Fig. 4. Issues of the Macedonian cities and the “Macedonians”.

19The coins of Thessaloniki and Amphipolis are fewer than those of Pella, however they are represented by a fair amount of issues. From the numismatic material under study 83 coins of Thessaloniki and 47 of Amphipolis came to light58 (fig. 4). Coins of Thessaloniki belong mainly to the types Artemis/quiver and bow (18), Zeus/two goats (16), Dionysus/goat (14), and Zeus/bull (14), while those of Amphipolis principally follow the types Artemis/two goats (17), Poseidon/club (13), and Poseidon/horse (6). Apart from the aforementioned coins, many more issues of the two cities came to light59. The large quantity of civic issues testifies that these coins circulated freely within Macedonia during the 2nd and 1st c. BC. Coins of Pella and Thessaloniki primarily appear in central and west Macedonia, while those of Amphipolis mainly in east Macedonia, Thrace and southwest Bulgaria60. From the sequence of issues and their iconography, it seems that the three Macedonian cities had to a large extent a common economic policy.
20Apart from the civic issues, at the Pella excavations 49 coins in the name of the “Macedonians” were identified (fig. 4). 27 silver tetrobols were part of hoard n° 4 and 22 bronze coins were solitary finds61. The bronze coins belong mainly to the types Zeus/thunderbolt (8) and Heracles/club (4), but other types were identified as well62. According to most scholars, the minting of coins in the name of the “Macedonians” began towards the end of Philip V’s reign or the beginning of Perseus’ and continued after the roman conquest as well63.
21From the Pella excavations also came to light 6 coins in the name of Gaius Publilius, which belong to the type Athena/grazing cow (fig. 4). The existence of the same numismatic type in the coinage of Pella and Bottiaia possibly testifies to the minting of the specific Publilius coins by the mint of Pella too64. Characteristic of these issues is their relatively large weight (approximately 10-12 grams) in contrast to most Macedonian civic issues of the 2nd and 1st c. BC, as well as earlier regal coins. Most scholars believe that coins in the name of Gaius Publilius were minted shortly after the battle of Pydna in 168/167 BC65, but others relate them to the period after the formation of the roman province of Macedonia in 148 BC66.
Coins from areas outside Macedonia
22Issues from areas outside Macedonia form the third category of the numismatic material under study. The 449 coins that were identified represent around 21%, of the identified numismatic material (fig. 2). This relatively large number is due to the existence of the 276 rhodian and pseudo-rhodian drachms of hoard n° 4. Without this hoard, the 173 coins from areas outside Macedonia represent only around 8,1% of the identified numismatic material. Although relatively few in number, these coins show great variety. The majority is dated to the 4th and 2nd c. BC, while some issues belong to the 3rd c. BC.
23Coins of the 4th c. BC mainly come from Thessaly (fig. 5). Most of them, 17, were struck by Larissa, the most important Thessalian mint and city67. In contrast to Larissa’s coins, those of the other Thessalian cities are represented by only one to three issues. Specifically, at Pella came to light 3 coins from Phalanna68 and Gyrton69, 2 from Pharsalus70, Meliboea71 and Lamia72, and 1 form Pelinna73, Gomphi74, Sciathus75 and Peparethus76.
24Apart from Thessaly, relatively large is also the number of coins from the Chalkidice (fig. 5). The majority of these belong to the Chalcidian League (11)77. Furthermore, at Pella were identified 3 coins of Potidaea78, and 2 of Scione79, Aphytis80 and Bottice81. A coin of Tragilus must also be added to the group of coins from north Greece82.
Fig. 5. 4th c. BC non-Macedonian coins per region.

254th c. coins from southern Greece, Thrace and Asia Minor are relatively few (fig. 5). Most of the coins from south Greece came from Attica, mainly Athens. Specifically, at Pella seven Athenian tetradrachms were found in hoard n° 2, and also 2 coins from Eleusis came to light elsewhere83. Worth noting is also the number of coins from Euboea, and specifically Chalkis (5) and Histiaea (1)84. Furthermore, 3 coins were minted in Locris85 and in Boeotia86, 2 in Corinthia87 and 1 in Aegina88. Only 6 coins from Thrace, all bronze, came to light. These were minted by Thasos (2)89, Abdera (1)90, Maroneia (1)91, Cypsela (1)92 and Cetriporis (1), ruler of the Odrysians93. Finally, single coins of Assus and Ephessus possibly belong to the time period under study94.
26In contrast to 4th c. non Macedonian coins, which were struck by the Greek cities, those of the 3rd c. BC were mainly minted by the Hellenistic rulers (fig. 6). The 21 issues of Lysimachus (306-281 BC) are probably related to the period when he ruled the Macedonian kingdom95. This was probably also the case for the coins of Pyrrhus (295-272 BC), although only 4 of his issues came to light96. Furthermore, at the Pella excavations came to light 2 coins of Seleucus I (305-281 BC)97, Antiochus I (281-261 BC)98 and Ptolemy II (285-246 BC)99, as well as single coins of Philetaerus (284-263 BC)100 and Dropion (c. 250-230 BC), ruler of the Paeonians101.
Fig. 6. 3rd c. BC non-Macedonian coins.

27Coins of the 3rd c. BC that were not minted by the Hellenistic rulers are very few (fig. 5). At the Pella excavations came to light 3 bronze coins of Athens102 and single issues of Larissa Cremaste103, Halus104 and the Locri105 that belong to the time period under study. Moreover, 3 coins of the Epirote Republic, 2 of the Acarnanian League, and 1 probably from Elis can be dated either in the 3rd or in the 2nd c. BC106.
28A number of coins from areas outside Macedonia found at Pella can be dated in the 2nd c. BC. Most of these were Rhodian and pseudo-rhodian drachms (276) that comprised the greater part of hoard n° 4107. Others belong to mints from mainland Greece and the islands of the Aegean, Rome, the Illyricum and Asia Minor (fig. 7). Specifically, were identified 11 coins from Histiaia108, 5 from Thessaly109 and 1 from Delos110. Also, at the Pella excavations came to light 2 victoriates of Apollonia111 and single bronze coins of Dyrrachium112, Magnesia ad Maeandrum113, Miletus114 and Apameia115.
Fig. 7. 2nd c. BC non-Macedonian coins.

29The 19 issues of Rome constitute a great part of the 2nd c. BC coins from Pella. Most of these are asses (9)116, but also 3 denarii117 and other denominations came to light118. It is interesting to note that most of these coins were minted before the roman conquest. Although they could have arrived at the Macedonian capital through a Roman embassy or trade, the signs of wear on most of them lead us to the conclusion that they were in use for a long period of time, possibly after the battle of Pydna in 168/167 BC. The latest issue, a plated denarius minted by MN. FONTEI C.F, probably in 85 BC, was found at the area of Phacus, where human presence can be traced after the destruction Pella in the first decade of the 1st c. BC119.
30To sum up, coins from mints outside Macedonia do not necessarily testify to the existence of systematic trade, but moreover to the movement of sole persons120. Exception are some silver coins, especially those of the 2nd c. BC like rhodian and pseudo-rhodian drachms, Histiaiean tetrobols and roman denarii. These coins, along with “new style” Athenian tetradrachms, arrived systematically in Macedonia during the 2nd c. BC in order to cover economic needs121.
Coin hoards
31Apart from single coins that were found in different archaeological layers, at the excavation areas south of the Classical fortification of Pella came to light seven coin hoards (fig. 8):
Hoard of seventeen bronze coins. 1 is attributed to Amyntas III (Heracles/eagle devouring snake type), 4 to Perdiccas III (all Heracles/ lion gnawing bone type), 11 to Philip II (types: 2 Heracles/horseman holding whip, 8 Male head/horseman, 1 Heracles/horseman) and 1 to Cetriporis (Dionysus/cantharus type). The hoard, which came to light in 1998, was concealed inside a black-glaze skyphos underneath the earthen floor of a building at the “Enimerosis” block, which is located at the new entrance of the archaeological site of Pella.
Hoard of 7 Athenian tetradrachms (Athena/owl type), 2 silver drachms of Alexander III (Heracles/enthroned Zeus type) and gold jewelry. It was found in 1996 in a building complex located east of the sanctuary of Darron.
Hoard of 6 bronze coins. 2 of these were highly oxidized, 3 were struck by Antigonus Gonatas (types: 1 Macedonian shield with monogram
helmet, 2 Athena/Pan erecting trophy) and 1 by the Locri (Athena/grapes type). The hoard was found in 2008 underneath the earthen floor of a room at a pottery workshop located in the “Enimerosis” block.Hoard of 307 silver coins. It comprises 276 Rhodian and pseudo-rhodian drachms, 27 tetrobols in the name of the “Macedonians” and 4 tetrobols of Histiaia. The hoard was found inside a chytra in a house located at the southwest corner of block IV/2 in 1976.
Hoard of 77 bronze coins. It comprises 1 coin of Antigonus Gonatas (Athena/Pan erecting trophy type), 2 of the “Macedonians” under Gaius Publilius (Athena/grazing cow type), 36 of Pella (types: 16 Pan/Athena, 11 Poseidon/bull, 6 Athena/grazing cow, 2 Zeus/eagle, 1 Athena/biga), 22 of Thessaloniki (types: 7 Zeus/two goats, 7 Zeus/bull, 4 Dionysus/goat, 2 Janus/Dioscuri, 1 Dionysus/Pegasus, 1 Poseidon/prow) and 16 of Amphipolis (types: 8 Artemis/two goats, 6 Poseidon/club, 1 Zeus/bull, 1 Janus/two Centaurs). This hoard was found in 1996 inside a closed black-glaze vase, probably a lekythos or oinochoe, hidden beneath the threshold of a building complex east of the sanctuary of Darron.
Hoard of 4 bronze coins. 3 were struck by the mint of Thessaloniki (types: 1 Dionysus/goat, 1 Zeus/bull, 1 Artemis/quiver and bow) and 1 by Amphipolis (Poseidon/club). This hoard was found in 2007, concealed between the walls of two bathtubs of the public bath in the “Enimerosis” block at the new entrance of the archaeological site.
Hoard of 3 bronze coins of Amphipolis (types: 2 Poseidon/horse, 1 Artemis/two goats). This hoard was found in 2008 during the excavation of the north wall of the “Enimerosis” block.
Fig. 8. FIndspot of coin hoards.

32The hoards mentioned above can be dated from the middle of the 4th until the beginning of the 1st c. BC. Hoard n° 1, which is the earliest, is especially interesting, because it constitutes one of the few cases of numismatic concealment during the lifetime of Philip II. It is interesting to note that the majority of Philip’s coins lack symbols, monograms and letters, which frequently appear in posthumous issues of this king. Only two coins of Philip II from the Pella hoard bear the thunderbolt symbol. The existence of coins attributed to Philip’s predecessors (Amyntas III, Perdiccas III), the appearance of Philip’s early type (Heracles/horseman holding whip), the lack of symbols apart from the thunderbolt and the absence of monograms and letters from Philip’s issues, the coin of Cetriporis (357-352 BC) and the shape of the skyphos, in which the hoard was concealed, allow us to date the coins’ concealment around the middle of the 4th c. BC122.
33Hoards n° 2-3 are also interesting because of the appearance of non Macedonian coins with regal issues. The Athenian coins of hoard n° 2 testify to the relations between Attica and Macedonia, which are attested by the trade of attic pottery from the last quarter of the 6th c. BC. In both cases the regal issues help us to date hoard n° 2 in the late fourth or the early 3rd c. BC and hoard n° 3 shortly after the middle of the 3rd c. BC123.
34Although hoard n° 4 is one of the best known from Pella, it has not yet been fully published. The find is related to the circulation of Rhodian and pseudo-rhodian drachms throughout the Aegean and the hoard’s synthesis is similar to that of others from Macedonia and Thessaly. Various dates have been proposed for its concealment from 175 until 168 BC124.
35Hoards n° 5-7 have a similar synthesis, since the majority of their coins was struck by the Macedonian cities of Pella, Thessaloniki and Amphipolis. All of these hoards can possibly be dated after the roman conquest of Macedonia as has been mentioned above. Hoards n° 6-7 can be placed in the second half of the 2nd c. BC and hoard n° 5 possibly in the early 1st c. BC.
Dating the buildings. The case of the public bath
36Apart from the information regarding economy, coins from Pella also contribute drastically to the dating of the buildings, in which they were found. Characteristic is the example of the public bath at the area of the new entrance of the archaeological site. This building is very important, because it is the earliest known bath complex that has been found in Macedonia so far. Furthermore, it is representative for Pella south of the Classical fortification as a whole, because here have been traced architectural phases dating from the late 5th until the early 1st c. BC, as is usually the case in this part of the ancient city.
Fig. 9. 5th c. BC regal coins (photo author).

Fig. 10. Coins with the monogram
(photo author).

37A silver hemiobol from the reign of Perdiccas II, along with attic pottery of approximately the same period from the foundation layer of the N-S wall that separates the “Enimerosis” town block, in which the bath was located, in two sectors, allow us to date its construction in the late 5th c. BC125. Moreover, coins of Aeropus, Amyntas III and Perdiccas III, as well as black glaze and red-figure pottery of the same period testify to the existence of 4th c. buildings, of which few architectural remains have come to light126.
38Better preserved are the remains of the early Hellenistic bath. During this period a large open courtyard with rooms on four sides, a swimming pool at the west part of the building, as well as a clay water pipe that ran through the complex was built. The find of coins of Philip II and Alexander III in stratigraphical trenches underneath the limestone chips of the walls and the earliest floors lead us to the dating of this architectural phase in the last quarter of the 4th c. BC, which concurs with the reign of Cassander and the intense building activity that took place in Pella during that period.
39During the second and third architectural phases the plan of the bath and the use of the rooms were more clearly defined, consisting of rooms with bath tubs for warm and hot baths, an underground heating system with an underground furnace and an air shaft, as well as a number of secondary rooms with floors made of plaster. Furthermore, the large swimming pool remained in use for the cold bath. The second architectural phase of the bath is marked by coins of Cassander and Demetrius Poliorcetes, as well as black glaze and “west slope” pottery of the first quarter of the 3rd c. BC. Finally, the find of autonomous civic issues of Pella and Thessaloniki along with mould-made pottery, oil lamps and unguentaria underneath the floors of the various rooms allow us to date the third architectural phase in the last quarter of the 2nd c. BC127 (fig. 11-12).
Fig. 11. Coins of Pella and Thessaloniki from the third architectural phase of the bath of Pella (photo author).

Fig. 12. Pottery from the third architectural phase of the bath of Pella (photo author).

40The destruction of the public bath, probably by an earthquake, can be placed in the early 1st c. BC as the majority of the buildings in Pella128. A coin of Thessaloniki of the type Agonothesia/ANT KAI within wreath, which is probably dated shortly after the battle of Philippoi129, is the latest issue and testifies to the limited human presence at least during the 3rd quarter of the 1st c. BC130.
Conclusions
41Besides dating, the study of coins provides valuable information regarding the numismatic circulation at Pella and the Macedonian kingdom in general during the Classical and Hellenistic periods. Although the sample under study does not cover the great quantity of coins that has been found at Pella as a whole, it can be considered representative to a large degree. A fact that must be noted from the 5th c. until 168 BC is the large quantity of regal coins that constituted the economic medium of this period. After the roman conquest, the place of regal issues, which ceased to exist, was taken by the autonomous civic issues of Pella, Thessaloniki and Amphipolis and by the coins of the “Macedonians”.
42Although vth c. coins from the numismatic material under study are very few, they possibly reflect Pella’s economic dependency to the Macedonian kings (fig. 3 and 9). This fact can also be deducted from the large quantity of regal issues that constituted the greater part of a coin hoard found in the area of the east cemetery of Pella131. It is also interesting to note, that most of the 5th c. coins under study came from the area of Phacus, the small island inside river Loudias132. According to current evidence, Pella appears to have started off as a small town around Phacus, where the ancient harbor was situated approximately 800 m south of the later Agora, and gradually began to expand to the north possibly during the reign of Archelaus, when the north fortification wall was built. This notion is also proven by the pottery and other finds of Phacus that date from the Bronze Age and by the writings of Herodotus and Thucydides, who mention Pella’s proximity to the Thermaic gulf in the 5th c. BC133. Moreover, at Phacus part of the island’s independent fortification has come to light, as well as buildings dating to the end of the 5th or the beginning of the 4th c. BC134.
43In contrast to the small number of 5th c. coins, those of the first half of the 4th century are much more numerous. Apart from regal issues, which represent the majority, the appearance of coins from Pydna, Thessaly and south Greece affirms the movement of people from these territories (fig. 3 and 5). The coins from the Chalcidice, especially those of the Chalcidian League, can perhaps be related to the period of warfare between the Macedonians and the Chalcidians during the reign of Amyntas III, when the latter possibly captured Pella for a short period of time135. Although the period under examination is characterized by political instability and warfare, Pella’s economy must have developed due to the city’s proximity to the sea. Xenophon characteristically mentions Pella as “µεγίστῃ τῶν ἐν Μακεδονίᾳ πόλεων136”. It is worth noting that during the second half and especially in the second quarter of the 4th c. BC the import of attic pottery, especially red-figure, rises drastically137.
44During the second half of the 4th c. BC regal bronze coins appear in greater numbers and must have played an even more important role in everyday transactions (fig. 3). Moreover, the find of 15 silver coins, mostly drachms in the name of Alexander III, testifies to the systematic issuing of silver coinage as well138. The intense minting of this period must be related to the immense wealth that arrived in the Macedonian treasury after Alexander III’s campaign in the East. This wealth probably led to the expansion of Pella during the reign of Cassander, although the city’s size must have increased from the lifetime of Philip II139. During the second half of the 4th c. apart from regal issues, those of Philippoi must have circulated within the Macedonian kingdom and possibly some coins from Thessaly and Chalcidice. The case of hoard n° 2 testifies to the fact that silver issues from areas outside Macedonia, such as Athenian tetradrachms, were concealed in order to cover future economic needs140. In the period under examination, although the trade of attic pottery continued to a smaller degree, local pottery workshops intensified their production manufacturing plain pottery, as well as black-glaze and red-figure vases, thus contributing to the city’s economy141.
45Pella remained one of the most prominent Macedonian cities in the 3rd c. BC. During the reign of Antigonus Gonatas many buildings were repaired, while others were architecturally transformed. Bronze regal coins, although fewer than those of the second half of the 4th c. BC, were still much more numerous than those of other issuing authorities. Regarding this period, the lack of silver coinage must be noted. Apart from the numismatic presence of the Macedonian kings, that of other Hellenistic rulers is attested, as well as some issues from south Greece testifying to the movement of people from the areas where the aforementioned coins circulated (fig. 6). During the 3rd c., Pella’s local workshops continued to produce pottery, figurines, metal objects, but also to import goods from other areas outside Macedonia142.
46In the 2nd c. BC, the coins of the last two Macedonian kings, Philip V and Perseus, appear to be very few in contrast to those of their predecessors (fig. 3). This must have been due to the reminting of their coins by the Romans. Apart from regal issues, during the last years of Philip’s reign and the reign of Perseus economic needs were also possibly covered by bronze and silver coins in the name of the “Macedonians”, which were struck in rather small quantities and probably continued to be issued after the roman conquest (fig. 4). Furthermore, the circulation of Rhodian and pseudo-rhodian drachms, as well as Histiaiean tetrobols within Macedonia should be noted (fig. 7).
47After the roman conquest, an important economic change must have occurred; the transition from regal coinage to the civic issues of the Macedonian cities (fig. 2 and 4). Specifically, the cities of Pella, Thessaloniki and Amphipolis struck significant quantities of coins and used a great number of coin types. During this period of relative instability mainly due to barbaric invasions, which the roman authority had difficulty to confront, cases of hoarding become more common in Macedonia, and specifically Pella143. Apart from civic issues, possibly coins of the “Macedonians” were still in use during this period, as well as roman coins, mainly asses and denarii. Few coins from other areas of Greece, Asia Minor and the Illyricum have been identified (fig. 7). Economic needs in silver were covered by roman denarii and Athenian “new style” tetradrachms. Although the time after the roman conquest was not a period of prime for Pella in comparison to the former rule of the kings, the city remained an important Macedonian civic centre. This is also deducted from the quantity of Pella’s civic issues and their appearance in hoards all over Macedonia, as well as the city’s trade and manufacturing, mainly of pottery and figurines144. Most of Pella’s buildings were abandoned in the beginning of the 1st c. BC because of a large scale earthquake. However, a small number coins that were found in various areas testify to the limited human presence throughout the 1st c., even after the foundation of the Roman Colony of Pella around 1,5 km west of the Hellenistic city.
Περιληψη
48Σε αυτό το άρθρο, παρουσιάζεται το νοµισµατικό υλικό από το νότιο τµήµα της Πέλλας, νότια του τείχους των Κλασικών χρόνων. Το υλικό αυτό είναι ιδιαίτερα σηµαντικό, γιατί προέρχεται από την πόλη, τόσο των Κλασικών, όσο και των Ελληνιστικών χρόνων. Εξετάστηκαν περίπου 2400 νοµίσµατα από τρεις κυρίως ανασκαφικές περιοχές: 1) Την περιοχή της νέας εισόδου του αρχαιολογικού χώρου, όπου ήρθαν στο φως τρία οικοδοµικά τετράγωνα µε δηµόσια οικοδοµήµατα, όπως το λουτρό, καθώς και εργαστήρια κεραµικής και µεταλλοτεχνίας. 2) Την περιοχή των ιερών, όπου αποκαλύφθηκε το ιερό του ∆άρρωνος, τοπικού θεραπευτή θεού των Μακεδόνων, καθώς και άλλα οικοδοµήµατα που συνδέονται µε λατρευτικές δραστηριότητες. 3) Τον Φάκο, την οχυρή νησίδα στο εσωτερικό της λιµνοθάλασσας του ποταµού Λουδία, όπου βρισκόταν το λιµάνι και το θησαυροφυλάκιο της πόλης. Επιπλέον, µελετήθηκαν νοµίσµατα και από άλλες σωστικές ανασκαφές της εξεταζόµενης περιοχής. Εκτός από µεµονωµένα νοµίσµατα παρουσιάζονται και επτά νοµισµατικοί θησαυροί. Σύµφωνα µε την εκδίδουσα αρχή, τα νοµίσµατα της Πέλλας είναι δυνατό να ενταχθούν σε τρεις κατηγορίες: 1) βασιλικές κοπές 2) νοµίσµατα των µακεδονικών πόλεων και των “Μακεδόνων” 3) νοµίσµατα περιοχών εκτός της Μακεδονίας. Τα συγκεκριµένα ευρήµατα παρέχουν χρήσιµες πληροφορίες για την οικονοµία και τη νοµισµατική κυκλοφορία κατά τους Κλασσικούς και Ελληνιστικούς χρόνους, καθώς και για τη χρονολόγηση των οικοδοµηµάτων, στα οποία βρέθηκαν.
Notes de bas de page
1 I am grateful to the Honorary Curator of the ΙΖ΄ Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities (now Ephorate of Antiquities of Pella) Dr. Maria Lilimpaki-Akamati, for the permission to study the numismatic material from Pella. I also wish to thank Professor Aliki Moustaka of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki for the interest she has shown in my work, and Professor Ioannis Akamatis of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, for reading my text and for his useful comments. My research was partly supported by the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation.
2 For the latest archaeological research at Pella and the history of the city in general see indicatively Papakonstantinou-Diamantourou 1971; Lilimpaki-Akamati & Akamatis, ed. 2003, 11-101; Akamatis 2011; Lilimpaki-Akamati & Akamatis 2012.
3 For the dating of the wall of the Classical city and the location of the cemeteries of the 5th c. BC see Lilimpaki-Akamati & Akamatis 2009. For the Classical city see Lilimpaki-Akamati & Akamatis 2012, 11-16.
4 From this area around 977 coins were studied. For the archaeological research at the new entrance to the site of Pella see Lilimpaki-Akamati 2000a; Lilimpaki-Akamati & Akamatis 2007; id. 2008; Lilimpaki-Akamati 2011; id. 2013. For a preliminary study of the coins from the bath and the pottery workshop of the “Enimerosis” block see Akamatis 2013a.
5 Excavation at the area of the sanctuaries brought to light around 660 coins. For this specific part of Pella see Lilimpaki-Akamati 1996; Akamatis 2009.
6 125 coins from Phacus were studied. For the excavation of this area see Lilimpaki-Akamati 2003; id. 2005, 400-402. For Phacus see also Liv. 44.6.1-2 and 44.46.4-11.
7 From other excavation sectors, such as the trench that supplied fresh water from the Aravyssos springs (O.Y.Θ. trench), the area where the new road that connects Thessaloniki with Edessa was constructed, the Karavasilis and the Bourakis plot, 638 coins were examined.
8 For this find see coin hoard n° 4 bellow.
9 Silver coins constitute 14,7% of the total amount of coins under study. Without the hoard this percentage falls to 1,9%.
10 4 silver coins of Alexander I came to light. They belong to the following types: a) Head of horse/incuse square with dots (hemiobols, 2) b) Standing horse/incuse square (trihemiobol, 1) c) forepart of horse/incuse square (diobol, 1). For the coinage of Alexander I see indicatively Raymond 1953; Kremydi-Sisilianou 1999; Psoma 1999a.
11 These coins represent the following types: a) Walking horse/helmet within incuse square (tetrobol, 1) b) Galloping horse/ helmet within incuse square (light tetrobol, 1) c) forepart of horse/incuse square with dots (hemiobol, 1). For the coinage e of Perdiccas II see indicatively Raymond 1953; Psoma 1999a; Lykiardopoulou & Psoma 2000.
12 The types Horse/eagle in incuse square (obol) and Heracles/forepart of wolf in incuse square (hemiobol) of Archelaus were identified. For the coinage of Archelaus see Westermark 1989, 303-304; Psoma 2000; Gatzolis 2013, 125.
13 Coins of Aeropus are all bronze and belong to the types a) Male head/forepart of lion (13) b) Male head/forepart of lion gnawing bone (2) c) Male head/horse (5). For the coinage of Aeropus see Westermark 1989, 304-305.
14 The coins of Amyntas II belong to the types: a) Male head/helmet (4) b) Male head/forepart of wolf (2). For the coinage of Amyntas II see Westermark 1989, 305-306.
15 Both coins are of the type Male head/forepart of boar. For the coinage of Pausanias see Westermark 1989, 306.
16 The following types were identified: Silver: a) Heracles/horse (staters, 2). Bronze: a) Heracles/eagle devouring serpent (58) b) Heracles/forepart of boar (10) c) Heracles/club (2). For the coinage of Amyntas III see Westermark 1989, 307-308; Lykiardopoulou & Psoma 2000; Gatzolis 2010, 274-275 and 397-410.
17 This is of the type Male head/horse. For the coinage of Alexander II see Westermark 1989, 308.
18 Almost all are bronze coins of the type Heracles/lion gnawing bone, denomination A. Only two represent denomination AA. For the coinage of Perdiccas III see Westermark 1989, 308-309.
19 The following coins came to light: Silver: a) Zeus/horseman (plated tetradrachm, 1) b) Male head/horseman (tetrobols, 2). Bronze: a) Male head/horseman (denomination A, 194) b) Heracles/club (59) c) Heracles/thunderbolt (21) d) Male head/horseman (denomination AA, 14) e) Heracles/horseman holding whip (7) f) Heracles/horseman (1). For the coinage of Philip II see Βellinger 1964, 29-52; Le Rider 1977; Price 1979; Portolos 1996; Touratsoglou 2003.
20 The following coins were examined: Silver: a) Heracles/enthroned Zeus (drachms, 10) b) Heracles/thunderbolt (obol, 1). Bronze: a) Heracles/ΑΛΕΞΑΝ∆ΡΟΥ, ΒΑ or BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ between club and bow in case (137) b) Male head/horse (123) c) Macedonian shield with thunderbolt in centre/Macedonian helmet (45) d) Heracles/eagle (13) e) Appolo/thunderbolt (1) f) Macedonian shield with axe in centre/Macedonian helmet (1). For the coinage of Alexander III see indicatively Price 1991; Liampi 1998a; Gatzolis 2012.
21 This is a drachm of the type Heracles/enthroned Zeus. For the coinage of Philip III see Price 1991.
22 These belong to the types: a) Heracles/horseman (109) b) Heracles/seated lion (32) c) Apollo/tripod (25) d) Heracles/lion breaking spear (10). For the coinage of Cassander see Oikonomos 1918; Ehrhardt 1973; Valassiadis 2005; Gatzolis 2012.
23 The coins of Demetrius Poliorcetes are all bronze and follow the types: a) Macedonian shield with monogram
helmet (59) b) Demetrius/prow (24). For the coinage of Demetrius Poliorcetes see Newell 1927; Liampi 1998b, 105-106.
24 These are the coins with the monogram
on the reverse. The following types were found: a) Zeus/eagle standing on thunderbolt (denomination B, 8) b) Zeus/eagle standing on thunderbolt, reverted head (denomination A, 5) c) Zeus/thunderbolt (3). For these coins see Psoma et al. 2008, 217-224 with earlier bibliography.
25 The following bronze coins were discovered: a) Athena/Pan erecting trophy (86) b) Macedonian shield with monogram
helmet(40) c) Heracles/horseman (23). For the coinage of Antigonus Gonatas see Furtwängler 2004; Poulios 2001.
26 The bronze coins of Philip V are represented by a variety of types: a) Heracles/horseman (16) b) Zeus/Athena (16) c) Heracles/two goats (12) d) Perseus/eagle (4) e) Perseus/harpa (3) f) Poseidon/prow (3) g) Macedonian shield, in centre Perseus/helmet (3) h) Zeus/horseman (2) i) Helios/thunderbolt (2) j) Heracles/club (1). For the coinage of Philip V see Mamroth 1935; Gatzolis 2010, 479-492 with relevant bibliography. The types Helios/thunderbolt and Heracles/club have been attributed to Philip VI by T. Κourempanas. See Kourempanas 2010.
27 The following types were identified: a) Perseus/eagle (25) b) Macedonian shield, in centre whirl/harpa (5). For the coinage of Perseus see Mamroth 1928; Franke 1957.
28 For the finds from the palace see Chrysostomou 1996, 114; id. 2008.
29 For this mint see Oikonomidou 1989; Oikonomidou & Kourempanas 2007; Kourempanas 2012.
30 Parts of bronze rods and flans were found at the new entrance of the archaeological site (4), at the area of the sanctuaries (3), at Phacus (3), and in other sectors of the city (7).
31 Regal coins of the 5th c. BC number only 9 issues, in contrast to around 900 regal issues of the 4th c. BC
32 Westermark 1989, 304.
33 It must be noted that from the material under study 27 coins of the type Heracles/eagle devouring snake, had an illegible legend, so they could be attributed either to Amyntas III or Pydna. For the coins of Pydna see below, n. 49.
34 Gatzolis 2010, 531 and 537. It must be noted that some of the coins in the name of Philip II were struck after his death. Still, according to our knowledge so far, it is not easy to distinguish the issues that were minted during Philip’s lifetime from his posthumous issues. Regarding the posthumous issues of Philip II see Touratsoglou 2003, 100-101.
35 The coinage of these three kings represents around 63% of the regal coins that were found at Pella.
36 For Pella’s expansion during the second half of the 4th c. BC see n. 2.
37 For the attribution of the type Macedonian shield with monogram
helmet to Demetrius Poliorcetes see Liampi 1998b, 105-106.
38 Gaebler 1935, 5-6.
39 For the arguments that connect the coins with Ptolemy Keraunos see Psoma et al. 2008, 217-224.
40 The coin of Cassander belongs to the type Apollo/tripod. For the dating of the pottery of the workshop see Lilimpaki-Akamati & Akamatis 2008, 153.
41 See Furtwängler 2004 with related bibliography.
42 Poulios 2001, 281-293.
43 10 coins of the type Athena/Pan erecting trophy and only one coin of the type Heracles/horseman were countermarked. For countermarks on the coinage of Antigonus Gonatas see Poulios 2001, 281-286.
44 Most of the coins in the name of Antigonus Gonatas show traces of ware that prove their long-term circulation. For the use of this king’s coinage in the 2nd c. BC see coin hoard n° 5 below.
45 Inv. n° 77/1260. This coin copies a small denomination (AE2) of the type. On the obverse the eye of Athena is disproportional to the rest of the face, and the helmet compact. On the reverse the figure of Pan and the trophy are rendered without details and the inscriptions are obscured.
46 Touratsoglou 1993, 33 n. 6.
47 Worth mentioning is the case of a rare coin of Perseus of the type Perseus/eagle with a countermark, probably an owl (inv. n° 77/1300).
48 Most of the pseudo-rhodian coins of this hoard must have been minted in Macedonia.
49 For the coinage of Pydna see Tselekas 1996a; Psoma 2001, 114-115. It must be noted, that 27 coins from the material under study were of the type Heracles/eagle devouring snake, but since their inscription was illegible, they could be attributed either to Amyntas III or Pydna.
50 For the coinage of Philippoi see Βellinger 1964, 29-40; Poulios 1982, 197-202; Lazaridis et al. 1992, 50-52.
51 For the dating of the above mentioned coins during the reign of Philip V and Perseus see Gaebler 1935, 1-50; Crawford 1985, 128-131; Touratsoglou 1987; Mørkholm 1991, 164-167; Touratsoglou 1993, 33 and 36-37.
52 For the dating after the roman conquest see Psoma et al. 2008, 37, 99 and 101; Kourempanas 2011b, 251; Gatzolis 2010, 369-373; Kourempanas 2011a.
53 Lilimpaki-Akamati & Akamatis 2007, 105.
54 For coin hoards of the 2nd and 1st c. BC from Macedonia see Touratsoglou 1993, 47-55.
55 For these coin hoards see below. From a total of 84 coins of the three coin hoards only one issue was regal, struck in the name of Antigonus Gonatas (coin hoard n° 5).
56 The other coins of Pella that were identified are of the types Apollo/cithara (6), Athena/biga (3), Zeus/eagle (2), Zeus/bull (2), Pan/two goats (1), Roma/ΠΕΛΛΗΣ within wreath (1), Zeus/thunderbolt (1).
57 For this mint see n. 29. After the roman conquest the mint of the palace must have stopped to operate.
58 Coins of Thessaloniki represent around 29,4%, while those of Amphipolis around 16,6% of the total amount of civic issues.
59 The other coins of Thessaloniki that were identified follow the types Athena/horse (4), Dionysus/grapes (3), Dionysus/Pegasus (2), Zeus/eagle (2), Poseidon/prow (2), Janus/Dioscuri (2), Janus/two Centaurs (2), Heracles/club (1), Pan/Pan (1), Apollo/tripod (1), Roma/ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗΣ within wreath (1). The other coins of Amphipolis are of the types Artemis/corn-ear (4), Janus/two Centaurs (2), Zeus/two goats (1), Roma/ΑΜΦΙΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ within wreath (1), Artemis/quiver and bow (1), Zeus/bull (1), Artemis/Tauropolos (1).
60 See indicatively Touratsoglou 1993, 47-55; Adam-Veleni 2000, 128-133; Kosmidou 2006, 419-420; Ivanov 2011; id. 2012.
61 For coin hoard n° 4 see below.
62 The other bronzes in the name of the “Macedonians” follow the types Heracles/horse (2), Pan/two goats (2), Apollo/tripod (2), Dionysus/goat (1), Macedonian shield/helmet (1), Macedonian shield/ΜΑΚΕ∆ΟΝΩΝ within wreath (1), Strymon/trident (1).
63 See Touratsoglou 1987, 55; Kremydi-Sisilianou 2007; id. 2009, 193.
64 See Gaebler 1935, pl. 12 fig. 16 and pl. 19 fig. 4.
65 According to P. MacKay, G. Publilius was the first quaestor of Macedonia after the battle of Pydna (Mackay 1968). See also Boehringer 1972a, 114; Touratsoglou 1987, 56; Papazoglou 1988, 63; Touratsoglou 1993, 37; Psoma et al. 2008, 107.
66 Gaebler 1935, 8-9; SNG Cop. 1318-1326; Kourempanas 2011a, 200.
67 Coins of Larisa are all bronze. The following types were identified: a) Nymph/horse feeding (11, SNG Cop. 142) b) Nymph facing/horse (3, SNG Cop. 136-139) c) Nymph facing/horseman (3, SNG Cop. 140-141).
68 These belong to the type Male head/Nymph (SNG Cop. 203-205).
69 They are all of the type Zeus/horse (SNG Cop. 60).
70 The coins from Pharsalus are represented by the following types: a) Athena/horse’s head (hemidrachm, SNG Cop. 222-223) b) Athena/horseman (SNG Cop. 230-231).
71 They both follow the type Nymph/grapes (SNG Cop. 171).
72 Coins of Lamia belong to the types Nymph/Philoctetes seated on rock and Athena/Philoctetes standing and shooting birds (SNG Cop. 82 and 87-88).
73 The coin of Pelinna belongs to the type Mantho/horseman (SNG Cop. 191).
74 This is of the type Hera facing/Zeus seated on rocks (SNG Cop. 50).
75 It follows the type Apollo/caduceus (SNG Cop. 366).
76 The coin of Peparethus is of the type Dionysus/cantharus (SNG Cop. 359-360).
77 Coins from the Chalcidian League are represented by the types: a) Apollo/cithara (9, SNG Cop. 246) b) Apollo/tripod (2, SNG Cop. 247-249).
78 They all belong to the type Athena/trident (Gaebler 1935, pl. 2 fig. 4).
79 Both coins follow the type Aphrodite/two doves (SNG Cop. 323-324).
80 The coins of Aphytis are of the types Zeus Ammon/eagle and Zeus Ammon/two eagles (SNG Cop. 129-132). For the dating of these coins in the 4th c. BC see Gatzolis 2011, 196-198.
81 The coins from Boticce follow the types Apollo/lyre (SNG Cop. 140-144) and female head/butting bull (Gaebler 1935, pl. 20 fig. 28).
82 It belongs to the type Hermes/ΤΡΑΙ in the four quarters of the field (Gaebler 1935, pl. 24 fig. 35).
83 For coin hoard n° 2 see bellow. For the coins from Eleusis see SNG Cop. 414-419 (Triptolemos/pig).
84 Coins from Chalcis follow the type Hera facing/eagle devouring snake (SNG Cop. 443-446). The coin from Histiaea belongs to the type Maenad/bull (SNG Cop. 510-511).
85 All belong to the type Athena/grapes (SNG Cop. 65-71).
86 The following coins from Boeotia came to light: a) hemidrachm of the federal mint (Boeotian shield/cantharus, SNG Cop. 173-175) b) bronze coin of the federal mint (Boeotian shield/trident, SNG Cop. 179-181) c) hemidrachm of Thespiae (Boeotian shield/Aphrodite, SNG Cop. 403-404).
87 Two Corinthian staters of the type Pegasus/Athena were identified (SNG Cop. 48 and 93-100).
88 The bronze coin of Aegina is of the type A between two dolphins/incuse square (SNG Cop. 533-536).
89 The two bronze coins from Thasos are of the type Heracles/club and strung bow (SNG Cop. 1050).
90 This follows the type Griffin/quartered square with four pellets (SNG Cop. 371-373).
91 This is of the type horse/vine (SNG Cop. 630).
92 The coin form Cypsela is of the type Hermes/cup (SNG Cop. 532).
93 This is of the type Dionysus/cantharus (SNG Cop. 1068-1069).
94 The coin of Assus follows the type Athena/bucranium (SNG Cop. 243-244). The coin of Ephessus is of the type Bee/stag (SNG Cop. 245-246).
95 Coins of Lysimachus are represented by the following types: a) Athena/lion (18, SNG Cop. 1150-1157) b) Athena/forepart of lion (2, SNG Cop. 1159-1163) c) Head in Phrygian helmet/trophy (1, SNG Cop. 1164-1167).
96 The coins of Pyrrhus belong to the type Macedonian shield with monogram
helmet (SNG Cop. 1195-1197).
97 These belong to the type Medusa/bull (SNG Cop. 36-37).
98 The coins of Antiochus I follow the types Apollo/tripod (SNG Cop. 71-72) and Apollo/Apollo (SNG Leipzig, 1330).
99 Coins of Ptolemy II belong to the types Apollo/eagle (SNG Leipzig 1427) and Alexander in elephant’s skin/eagle (SNG Leipzig 1418-1419).
100 The coin of Philetaerus belongs to the type Athena/bow (SNG Cop. 348-350).
101 The coin of Dropion is of the type Athena/thunderbolt. It is interesting to note that coins of Dropion usually bear the inscription ΠΑΙΟΝΩΝ and the monogram of the king above and below the thunderbolt on the reverse, while on the coin from Pella the inscription ∆ΡΟ/ΠΙΩΝ can be read. For the coinage of Dropion see Pavlovska 2011.
102 All Athenian coins belong to the type Athena/owl (SNG Cop. 94-99).
103 Nymph/harpa in wreath (SNG Cop. 152).
104 The coin from Halus is of the type Zeus/Phryxus (SNG Cop. 63).
105 The coin of the Locri was found in hoard n° 3, which is analyzed below. It is of the type Athena/grape (BCD Locris 131).
106 The coins of the Epirote Republic belong to the types Zeus/thunderbolt (SNG Cop. 129), Dione/tripod (SNG Cop. 132) and Artemis/spear-head (SNG Cop. 135-137). The coins of the Acarnanian League both follow the type Heracles/Achelous (SNG Cop. 421-422). The coin from Elis is of the type Apollo/Zeus (SNG Cop. 435-437).
107 For this hoard see below.
108 At Pella came to light 7 tetrobols of the type Maenad/Nymph seated on stern (SNG Cop. 517-536) and 4 bronze issues of the type Maenad/forepart of bull (SNG Cop. 538-543).
109 4 bronze coins belong to the Thessalian confederacy, all of the type Athena/horse (SNG Cop. 324-328), and 1 to the Magnetes (type: Zeus/Centaur, SNG Cop. 160).
110 This coin was struck by the Athenian Cleruchs in Delos. It is a small denomination of the type Artemis/quiver and bow (SNG Cop. 440).
111 Both coins belong to the type cow standing/floral pattern within double linear square (SNG Cop. 371-398). One of them is plated.
112 This belongs to the type Zeus/tripod (SNG Cop. 506).
113 The coin form Magnesia is of the type Stag/statue of Artemis (SNG Cop. 853).
114 The coin of Miletus follows the type Apollo/lion (SNG Cop. 994-1000).
115 This coin is of the type Athena/eagle (SNG Cop. 163-168).
116 The following issues were identified: a) Anonymous (2, Crawford 1974, 56.2, after 211 BC) b) Bird and TOD (Crawford 1974, 141.2a with legend TOD, 189-180 BC) c) Caps of the Dioscuri (Crawford 1974, 181.1, 169-158 BC). Apart from these, 5 asses were worn beyond identification.
117 The denarii are represented by the following types: a) Roma/Luna in biga (Crawford 1974, 161.1, TAL, 179-170 BC) b) Roma/Dioscuri (Crawford 1974, 237.1a, CN. LVCR TRIO, 136 BC) c) Apollo/Cupid on goat (Crawford 1974, 353.1a, MN. FONTEI C.F, 85 BC).
118 From the material under study were identified 2 victoriati of the type Jupiter/Victory crowning trophy (Crawford 1974, 168.1, 179-170 BC), 1 double litra of the type Heracles/Pegasus (Crawford 1974, 27.3, 230-226 BC), 1 sextans of the type Mercury/prow (Crawford 1974, 69.6, 211-208 BC), 1 triens of the type Minerva/prow (Crawford 1974, 120.5, 206-195 BC) and 2 very worn quadranses of the type Heracles/prow.
119 The denarius is of the type Apollo/cupid on goat (Crawford 1974, 353.1a).
120 Regarding this issue see Gatzolis 2010, 303 with related bibliography.
121 See Touratsoglou 1993, 35-37. Although no “new style” Athenian tetradrachms were found in the numismatic material under study, their existence is testified in Pella. This is deducted from a coin hoard numbering 101 coins of this type, as well as their appearance in different sectors of Pella’s Agora.
122 For the publication of coin hoard n° 1 see Akamatis 2014a.
123 For hoard n° 2 see Μ. Lilimpaki-Akamati 2000b. For hoard n° 3 see Akamatis 2013a.
124 For this coin hoard see CH VI, 46; CH VII, 96; CH VIII, 420; Touratsoglou 1993, pl. IIa; Chrysostomou 1993, 630-631; Apostolou 2004, 263.
125 Akamatis 2014a, 68.
126 For the Classical age pottery from the public bath see Akamatis 2008; Akamatis & Aamodt 2015.
127 For the architectural phases of the public bath see Lilimpaki-Akamati & Akamatis 2007.
128 For the destruction of Pella see indicatively Akamatis 1993, 345-346; Lilimpaki-Akamati 2000c, 200-201; Akamatis 2012.
129 Gaebler 1935, 121, pl. 24 fig. 3; SNG ANS 819-822 (41/40 BC).
130 For the limited human presence at Pella after the first decade of the 1st c. BC, see Akamatis 1989; Lilimpaki-Akamati 2008.
131 The aforementioned hoard numbers 336 silver issues of the following issuing authorities: a) Alexander I (81) b) Perdiccas II (220) c) Archelaus (22) d) Amyntas III (1) e) Chalcidian League (8) f) Acanthus (4). For the hoard see Chrysostomou 1993.
132 Specifically, 5 of the 9 silver regal coins under study came from Phacus.
133 Hdt 7.123; Thc. 2.99,3-4.
134 For the excavation at Phacus see n. 6.
135 For these events see Hammond & Griffith 1979, 175-178; Hammond 1992, 79-80; Errington 1993, 30-34.
136 Xen., Hell., 5.2.13.
137 See Akamatis 2008, 72-73.
138 Apart from the 10 drachms in the name of Alexander III, an obol of the same king was identified, as well as 1 tetradrachm and 2 tetrobols in the name of Philip II, and 1 drachm of Philip III. For the wealth of the Macedonian kingdom after the death of Alexander III see Ι. Touratsoglou 2010.
139 Str. 7a.1.23.1-2.
140 For coin hoard n° 2 see above.
141 For the pottery production of Pella during the second half of the 4th c. BC see Akamatis forthcoming. For the red-figure vases specifically see id. 2013b and 2014b.
142 For the trade of Pella during the Hellenistic period see Akamatis 1995, 100; id. 2012, 53-55.
143 Hoards n° 5-7 belong to the period under discussion. For these hoards see above.
144 For Pella’s pottery and figurine production during the 2nd c. BC see indicatively Akamatis 1993; Lilimpaki-Akamati 1993; Akamatis 2012, 53-54.
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