Tracing metallurgical links and silver provenance in Balkan coinage (5th -1st centuries BCE).

ABSTRACT: Local types of coinage testify to the emerging use of silver in the Balkan interior, possibly related to abundant ore deposits in the region. Here, we present Pb isotope data for silver coins minted by local tribes and settlements (anepigraphic coins attributed to the Derrones/Laeaei, Damastion, Pelagia, Kings of Paeonia) between the 5th and 3rd centuries BCE. For comparison, we analysed coinage of the potential Greek emporia Dyrrhachium and Apollonia for their main element and Pb-Ag isotope compositions. Statistical data evaluation demonstrates close material connections between coins from the Balkan interior and identify a predominantly local raw material provenance. The majority of Damastion's issues defines a tight cluster fitting Strabo's (VII.7.8) account that the settlement p

SUBMITTER: Westner KJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11561118 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature