Diobol

Thasos built its archaic monetary economy almost entirely on two resources: the silver mines of the Thracian mainland, which the island controlled across the straits, and a wine trade significant enough that ancient sources specifically mention Thasian vintages commanding premium prices throughout the Aegean. The diobol served the small-denomination end of that commerce. Persian pressure on Thrace during the early fifth century repeatedly threatened Thasian access to those mainland mines, making the continuity of this coinage a minor political achievement in itself.

The SNG Copenhagen specimens (191–194) represent the primary reference grouping for die study of this type.