GREEK ELECTRUM COIN ~ MYSIA CYZICUS

 

Mysia, Cyzicus.Hekte,circa 500-450 BCE.

Obv: Tuna fish  between 2 dolphins. Rev: Quadripartite incuse square.

Starting in the first half of the 6th century BCE, the electrum staters of Cyzicus became one of the most widely recognized Greek coins of their time. For many decades, the transactions of the entire trade in grain in the Black Sea Region were done with coins such as this one.  The prominence and popularity of this coinage was perhaps one of the reasons why Cyzicus was free from the restrictions placed upon other member states of the Delian League from minting their own currency, and was able to continue creating its aesthetic and highly varied coins.

The Cyzicus electrum staters corresponded to 24 or 25 Attic drachms, making this coin, a hekte, worth about as much as an Attic tetradrachm. The dolphins symbolize Poseidon, the God of the sea.  As the brother of Zeus, Poseidon is among the most powerful of the Olympian Gods. The tuna is shown between the dolphins, because tuna fishing was fundamental in the economy of Cyzicus- therefore it definitely deserved a prominent place on its coinage.