Illyrian Silver Drachm from Dyrrhachion (about 2230-2280 years ago)
This silver coin was minted in the important Adriatic port city of Dyrrhachion (modern Durrës, Albania) during the period when the region came under Roman protection. Based on earlier Greek models, this drachm facilitated trade throughout the Adriatic region and into the Balkan interior.
Coin Description:
Front side: Cow standing right with suckling calf; eagle on scepter above; Greek letters "EENΩN" (name of magistrate)
Back side: Double stellate (star-like) pattern; Greek inscription "ΔΥΡ ΧΑΡΟ ΝΟ ΝΟΥ" (city name and magistrate name)
Technical Details:
Silver composition, weighing 3.52 grams
Drachm denomination (standard Greek silver coin)
Reference: SNG Copenhagen-498
No certification mentioned
Date: 250-200 BCE
Historical Significance:
Dyrrhachion was a strategic port city in Illyria (modern Albanian coast) founded as a Greek colony but later coming under Roman protection. This coin represents the period when Rome was expanding its influence into the eastern Adriatic but before direct annexation. The cow and calf imagery was borrowed from earlier Greek coinage of Corcyra (modern Corfu) and symbolized agricultural prosperity. These coins circulated widely in the western Balkans and were trusted for their consistent silver content.
This silver coin was minted in the important Adriatic port city of Dyrrhachion (modern Durrës, Albania) during the period when the region came under Roman protection. Based on earlier Greek models, this drachm facilitated trade throughout the Adriatic region and into the Balkan interior.
Coin Description:
Front side: Cow standing right with suckling calf; eagle on scepter above; Greek letters "EENΩN" (name of magistrate)
Back side: Double stellate (star-like) pattern; Greek inscription "ΔΥΡ ΧΑΡΟ ΝΟ ΝΟΥ" (city name and magistrate name)
Technical Details:
Silver composition, weighing 3.52 grams
Drachm denomination (standard Greek silver coin)
Reference: SNG Copenhagen-498
No certification mentioned
Date: 250-200 BCE
Historical Significance:
Dyrrhachion was a strategic port city in Illyria (modern Albanian coast) founded as a Greek colony but later coming under Roman protection. This coin represents the period when Rome was expanding its influence into the eastern Adriatic but before direct annexation. The cow and calf imagery was borrowed from earlier Greek coinage of Corcyra (modern Corfu) and symbolized agricultural prosperity. These coins circulated widely in the western Balkans and were trusted for their consistent silver content.
This silver coin was minted in the important Adriatic port city of Dyrrhachion (modern Durrës, Albania) during the period when the region came under Roman protection. Based on earlier Greek models, this drachm facilitated trade throughout the Adriatic region and into the Balkan interior.
Coin Description:
Front side: Cow standing right with suckling calf; eagle on scepter above; Greek letters "EENΩN" (name of magistrate)
Back side: Double stellate (star-like) pattern; Greek inscription "ΔΥΡ ΧΑΡΟ ΝΟ ΝΟΥ" (city name and magistrate name)
Technical Details:
Silver composition, weighing 3.52 grams
Drachm denomination (standard Greek silver coin)
Reference: SNG Copenhagen-498
No certification mentioned
Date: 250-200 BCE
Historical Significance:
Dyrrhachion was a strategic port city in Illyria (modern Albanian coast) founded as a Greek colony but later coming under Roman protection. This coin represents the period when Rome was expanding its influence into the eastern Adriatic but before direct annexation. The cow and calf imagery was borrowed from earlier Greek coinage of Corcyra (modern Corfu) and symbolized agricultural prosperity. These coins circulated widely in the western Balkans and were trusted for their consistent silver content.
