Experimentation With Coinage
Some cities and kings continued to experiment with different forms of coin
manufacture into the 5th century BC and beyond. Such coins often came from areas in
the Balkans or mainland Europe.
Silver stater (550-470 BC) struck by the city of
Metapontum depicting an ear of wheat on both sides of the coin in repoussée technique.
Bronze arrowhead money (5th century BC)
produced by the city of Olbia (modern Ukraine). It was not uncommon for money to be
produced in the form of stylized tools or weapons.
Bronze dolphin money of Olbia (5th
century BC).
Celtic tin wheel money (c. 100 BC) from the region of modern Switzerland.