Religia, polityka i pieniądz! Historia tetradrachm cystoforycznych, czyli cystoforów!

SUBSCRIBE to our channel so you don't miss similar videos! We also invite you to follow us on social media:   / domaukcyjnynumimarket     / dom_aukcyjny_numimarket     / dom-aukcyjny-numimarket   ___ OTHER INTERESTING VIDEOS:    • Fałszerstwo prawie doskonałe! Złote 5 rubl...      • ORYGINAŁ CZY BELGIJKA? Jak rozpoznać fałsz...      • Fałszywa moneta 2 złote Józef Piłsudski 19...   DESCRIPTION: This is one of the most distinctive silver issues created in Asia Minor during the late Hellenistic period and continued into the Roman era. Their name derives from the term "cista mystica"—a sacred basket used in Dionysian mysteries associated with the cult of Dionysus. A serpent emerged from the basket, which was placed on the reverse of the coins. In the Greek world, this was a symbol with strong religious significance. The term "cystophore," however, is not an ancient term. It was introduced by numismatists to distinguish these coins from tetradrachms minted according to the Attic standard. This stems from the fact that cystophores did not correspond to classical tetradrachms—they were lighter and more likely equal to the value of three Attic drachmas. Despite this, the term "cystophoric tetradrachms" has become established in literature, as they formally belonged to the four-drachma system. The creation of this issue is directly linked to the monetary policy of the Attalid dynasty of Pergamon, who in the 2nd century BC established the Attalid coinage. They created a regional monetary system encompassing western Anatolia, centered in Pergamon. This system proved stable enough to be maintained through the Roman Republic and then into the Imperial period. The most important mints were Pergamon, Ephesus, and Smyrna – cities that later became part of the Roman province of Asia. Archaeological finds confirm that cistophores were almost entirely absent outside this region, indicating a deliberately limited range of circulation. The cistophoric system was among the most stable in the late Hellenistic period. Coin weight was maintained at approximately 12.3–12.7 g, and their ratio to Roman coins during the Republican period was established at three denarii. In practice, the cistophore was an intermediate unit between the Greek and Roman systems. Coins were used primarily for local settlements, payments to officials, and military financing. Metallographic analyses indicate that during the Hellenistic period, the silver was of relatively high purity, although a gradual decrease in the metal content is observed in Roman times, while the coins retained a similar weight. The earliest issues were distinguished by their exceptional iconographic consistency. The obverse featured a basket entwined with an ivy wreath, and the reverse depicted a bow case and intertwined snakes. These motifs were religious in nature, alluding to the cult of Dionysus. Significantly, the absence of portraits of rulers distinguishes these coins from most Hellenistic issues. In 133 BCE, following the death of Attalus III, the kingdom of Pergamon was bequeathed to the Roman Republic and became the foundation of the new province of Asia. The Romans took control of the area, but instead of imposing their own system, they retained the existing monetary model. During the Republican period, the names of Roman officials began to appear on cistophores. Of particular interest are the first-century BC issues of Mark Antony, minted in cities such as Ephesus. Some of them feature joint portraits of Antony and Octavia the Younger, Augustus's sister, intended to emphasize their political alliance. After his victory over Antony, Augustus reorganized the coinage in the eastern provinces, but he did not abolish the cistophores. Instead, he gave them a new, ideological character. It was on Augustus' cistophores that the emperor's portrait first appeared, and the reverses featured symbols associated with his propaganda, such as altars, zodiac signs, temples, and sheaves of grain. The cista mystica motif is fading, although the traditional weight and function of the coins are retained. During Claudius' reign, issues reached a high artistic level. This is particularly evident in the beautiful, realistic portraits created in this style. The most famous are coins from Ephesus, depicting the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, on the reverse. During Trajan's time, cistophores were still being minted—primarily in Ephesus and Pergamon—but their importance gradually declined. The iconography is now fully Roman, including personifications of provinces, military symbols, and images of the empire's patron deities. Although the weight of the coins remains similar to that of the earlier period, the cistophoric system loses its significance amid the growing dominance of the denarius. Cystophoric tetradrachms are an exceptional example of the continuity of the monetary system—from the Hellenistic monarchy to the Roman Empire. They demonstrate t...