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>From the history of numismatics. Armenia-themed coins minted in Ancient Rome
In ancient period, some cities, including Artashat minted their own
copper coins.
Armenia found itself in a complicated situation after the downfall of
Artashesian dynasty, having become an apple of discord between Rome
and Parthia. Under an agreement between the two, a new royal dynasty
was established in Armenia, with Parthian Arsacid (Arshakuni) Dynasty
taking the throne to rule from 66 to 428 AD.
October 4, 2013
PanARMENIAN.Net - No knowledge was retained of the coins minted during
the rule of Arsacid Dynasty kings, nor do scientists believe there
were any coins made. In ancient world, only an independent ruler was
entitled to order coinage, with Armenian representatives of the
Arsacid Dynasty, dependent on Parthians, having no right to do so.
It's noteworthy that copper coins of the city of Artashat have been
retained till modern times. In ancient period, some cities minted
their own copper coins to only be used locally. Here belong the coins
of Artashat minted in 1st-2nd centuries AD.
Description of coins
Artashat coins feature mythological images including the keeper of the
city, goddess Tihveh wearing a tower-shaped crown, goddess Nike, a
palm branch, etc. The coin bears the inscription `Artashat' in Greek.
At the time, money circulation was mostly ensured through the Parthian
kingdom and Roman Empire's coins, as well as those of neighboring
countries.
In that period of time, Parthian coins were represented by silver
drachmas and tetradrachms as well as copper khalks.
Description of coins
Parthian coins emulated Hellenistic style. The obverse of the coin
featured the profile of the king, while the reverse showed a sitting
man carrying a bow and titles of the king in Greek. Unlike Hellenistic
style-coins, the Parthian ones only showed the king's title without
giving his name, which complicated the researchers' task in
identifying the king himself.
Roman coins in circulation were minted from gold, silver and copper.
In Roman Empire, a limited circulation gold coin was called `aureus.'
Silver denarii as well as copper coins of different denomination -
sesterces, dupondii, etc.- were widely circulated.
Description of coins
The obverse of the coin features the emperor's portrait. The reverse
carries a number of images including those of warriors, animals,
military symbols, etc.
A large group of Roman coins, minted following the conquest of
Armenia, aimed to extol the emperor's achievements. Among them, a coin
minted by co-emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus (160 AD)
featured Armenia as a bending woman. The coin shows a Latin
inscription 'Armen' (Armenia.)
In late 4th century AD, Roman Empire was divided into Western and
Eastern parts. In the middle of the 5th century, after the fall of the
Empire over the invasion of barbaric tribes, the eastern part survived
as the Byzantine Empire.
Arsacid dynasty's decline was followed by Armenia's loss of
independence after the Sassanid invasion. Arsacid Dynasty's rule in
Armenia was marked by acquisition of the greatest spiritual values:
adoption of Christianity as state religion and creation of Armenian
alphabet. As new schools were being built, crafts and architecture
continued to develop, and so did the traditions of coinage.
The material was prepared in cooperation with Gevorg Mughalyan, the
numismatist of the Central Bank of Armenia.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/170866/
In ancient period, some cities, including Artashat minted their own
copper coins.
Armenia found itself in a complicated situation after the downfall of
Artashesian dynasty, having become an apple of discord between Rome
and Parthia. Under an agreement between the two, a new royal dynasty
was established in Armenia, with Parthian Arsacid (Arshakuni) Dynasty
taking the throne to rule from 66 to 428 AD.
October 4, 2013
PanARMENIAN.Net - No knowledge was retained of the coins minted during
the rule of Arsacid Dynasty kings, nor do scientists believe there
were any coins made. In ancient world, only an independent ruler was
entitled to order coinage, with Armenian representatives of the
Arsacid Dynasty, dependent on Parthians, having no right to do so.
It's noteworthy that copper coins of the city of Artashat have been
retained till modern times. In ancient period, some cities minted
their own copper coins to only be used locally. Here belong the coins
of Artashat minted in 1st-2nd centuries AD.
Description of coins
Artashat coins feature mythological images including the keeper of the
city, goddess Tihveh wearing a tower-shaped crown, goddess Nike, a
palm branch, etc. The coin bears the inscription `Artashat' in Greek.
At the time, money circulation was mostly ensured through the Parthian
kingdom and Roman Empire's coins, as well as those of neighboring
countries.
In that period of time, Parthian coins were represented by silver
drachmas and tetradrachms as well as copper khalks.
Description of coins
Parthian coins emulated Hellenistic style. The obverse of the coin
featured the profile of the king, while the reverse showed a sitting
man carrying a bow and titles of the king in Greek. Unlike Hellenistic
style-coins, the Parthian ones only showed the king's title without
giving his name, which complicated the researchers' task in
identifying the king himself.
Roman coins in circulation were minted from gold, silver and copper.
In Roman Empire, a limited circulation gold coin was called `aureus.'
Silver denarii as well as copper coins of different denomination -
sesterces, dupondii, etc.- were widely circulated.
Description of coins
The obverse of the coin features the emperor's portrait. The reverse
carries a number of images including those of warriors, animals,
military symbols, etc.
A large group of Roman coins, minted following the conquest of
Armenia, aimed to extol the emperor's achievements. Among them, a coin
minted by co-emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus (160 AD)
featured Armenia as a bending woman. The coin shows a Latin
inscription 'Armen' (Armenia.)
In late 4th century AD, Roman Empire was divided into Western and
Eastern parts. In the middle of the 5th century, after the fall of the
Empire over the invasion of barbaric tribes, the eastern part survived
as the Byzantine Empire.
Arsacid dynasty's decline was followed by Armenia's loss of
independence after the Sassanid invasion. Arsacid Dynasty's rule in
Armenia was marked by acquisition of the greatest spiritual values:
adoption of Christianity as state religion and creation of Armenian
alphabet. As new schools were being built, crafts and architecture
continued to develop, and so did the traditions of coinage.
The material was prepared in cooperation with Gevorg Mughalyan, the
numismatist of the Central Bank of Armenia.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/details/170866/