Right Click picture and select "View/Open..." to see larger image size. Ancient Greek Coinage ~ ?Y Dolphin "Money" Thrace Sarmatia OLBIA 5th Century BC Bronze Cast. 1.65gm 28mm (1-1/8 inch). 437-410 BC. Dolphin left in relief, pellet shape eye. Reverse: Dolphin right, flat surface signed ?Y in raised Greek letters. XF. attractive green patina. Charming example. Ref. SNG BM Black Sea 360-61; SNG Copenhagen 72. Founded in the late 7th century BC on the coast of present-day Ukraine, Olbia, was a colony of Miletos located at the junction of the Hyspanis and Borysthenes rivers and grew prosperous on trade between the nomadic Scythians and the Greeks. At first, lacking sufficient quantities of silver or gold to institute a precious metal coinage, it instead used an innovative casting technique to produce a sizable and varied coinage in bronze. Among the earliest types is a series of denominations in the shape of dolphins, ranging in size from about 22mm and 1.5 grams to extremely rare large examples upwards of 90mm. This unique type of coinage was cast in Olbia, in the Black Sea area of Thrace from the 5th Century BC. The casting method employed was adopted by the Gallic Celts who originally came from this area. Olbia later acquired sufficient silver and gold through trade to institute a precious metal coinage, and is the likely mint spot for the Koson gold staters of the later first century AD. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OUR GUARANTEE: All illustrations are of the actual item offered. The authenticity of all pieces is fully guaranteed. Any item ever shown otherwise may be returned unaltered for full refund less shipping. If any item purchased is not to your satisfaction you may return it unaltered within 30 days of purchase for a full refund less shipping. We also guarantee absolute discretion and confidentiality in all transactions.