Oinoanda Didrachms by Russell A. Augustin, AU Capital Management, LLC ……
Introduction to Oinoanda and Its Coinage
Oinoanda stood high in the mountains of ancient Lycia, in what is now southwest Turkey. The city overlooked the upper valley of the Xanthus River. Although archaeologists have surveyed the region, they still know very little about its early history.
Even so, Oinoanda grew into a significant city in antiquity. Surprisingly, however, it struck silver coins during only a brief moment in its long existence.
For many years, scholars knew just one example of its coinage. The British Museum acquired that specimen in 1897. Then, in the early 2000s, researchers discovered a small group of additional coins. This discovery transformed the study of Oinoanda’s coinage and expanded our understanding of the region.
Historical Context: The Attalid Takeover
Three distinct coin issues from Oinoanda exist. Each carries specific letters and symbols that mark its sequence.
Scholars date these coins to the first three years of Attalid rule. This period followed the Peace of Apameia in 188 BCE. Rome forced this treaty after defeating Antiochos III in 190 BCE. As a result, large portions of Seleukid territory in Anatolia passed to Pergamon and Rhodes.
Because of this political shift, Oinoanda gained enough autonomy to strike its own coinage.
Why Did Oinoanda Mint Didrachms?
Unlike most cities in the region, Oinoanda chose an unusual denomination. It struck didrachms instead of the more common drachms or tetradrachms.
Each coin aimed to follow the Attic standard of about 8.65 grams. However, surviving examples show wide variation in weight. This inconsistency suggests that the mint lacked experience in quality control.
So why choose the didrachm?
Scholars believe the denomination helped facilitate exchange. Specifically, three Oinoandan didrachms equaled two Attalid cistophoric tetradrachms. Therefore, the coins created a practical bridge between two monetary systems.
At the time, both Attic and cistophoric coinages circulated in Oinoanda. As a result, the didrachm simplified official payments to Attalid authorities. It also supported trade with neighboring regions that still used the Attic standard.
The Mystery Behind the Coinage
Despite these insights, the exact purpose of this coinage remains unclear.
Some scholars suggest that Oinoanda minted these coins to fund the construction of its Hellenistic city walls. However, evidence challenges this idea. Only four known obverse dies exist. These dies would have produced too few coins to finance such a large project.
Therefore, additional funding likely came from other coinages. These may have included Attalid cistophoroi or tetradrachms from Side, both of which circulated in the region.
Design and Iconography
Oinoanda’s coin design reflects both local identity and broader Hellenistic influence.
On the obverse, Zeus, the city’s principal deity, faces right. He holds a lotus-tipped scepter over his shoulder. This detail emphasizes his authority and divine power.
On the reverse, Zeus’s eagle stands to the right on a winged thunderbolt. This powerful image reinforces the god’s association with strength and control.
Interestingly, the design shows influence from the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. However, Oinoanda’s engravers adapted these elements into a distinct local style.
A Remarkable Example
One particular specimen stands out among all known examples.
It represents the finest of only four coins struck from the first die pair in the series. Therefore, it likely belongs to the earliest production phase of Oinoanda’s coinage.
Coin Description
- Region: Lycia, Oinoanda
- Date: 188 BCE
- Denomination: AR Didrachm
- Size: 19 mm
- Weight: 7.92 g
- Die Axis: 12h
- Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus right; letter A and scepter behindReverse: Eagle standing right on winged thunderbolt
- Reference: Ashton, Oinoanda 1 (A1/P1), otherwise unpublished
- Condition: Extremely Fine (EF), dark iridescent toning
Notes: Well-centered and sharply struck; finest known example from this die pair; extremely rare
The Oinoanda Inscription: A Philosophical Legacy
Oinoanda holds another remarkable place in history beyond its coinage.
The city once featured a massive limestone wall inscription in its marketplace, known as the “Esplanade.” A man named Diogenes of Oinoanda commissioned this inscription.
He used it to promote the teachings of Epicurus, who had died five centuries earlier. The inscription presented Epicurean philosophy in a public and accessible format.
Although the wall no longer stands, its fragments survived. Builders reused the stones in houses and streets. Over time, researchers rediscovered these pieces one by one.
Today, the inscription continues to attract scholars and readers interested in ancient philosophy.
Conclusion
Oinoanda’s didrachms remain among the rarest and most intriguing coins of the Hellenistic world. They reflect a brief moment of autonomy during a major political transition.
At the same time, they reveal the challenges of a new mint and the complexities of regional economics. Even now, historians continue to study these coins to better understand their purpose.
As new discoveries emerge, Oinoanda’s story may become clearer. Until then, its coinage remains both enigmatic and visually striking.
Love the beauty and history behind these ancient coins.
History & coins – each makes the other more interesting. Thanks for the article!