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Obol
| Issuer | Ephesos |
|---|---|
| Year | 460 BC - 420 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Hammered, Incuse |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Deeply struck incuse square divided into four roughly equal quadrants by two perpendicular raised ridges meeting at the centre, producing the characteristic quartered mill-sail pattern typical of early Ionian coinage. The surface of each quadrant displays an irregular, granular texture resulting from the hammered technique. No legend or additional device is present. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Ephesos |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
Ephesos in the fifth century BC sat at the commercial intersection of the Greek and Persian worlds, and its small silver fractions — the obol among them — circulated heavily in the Aegean trade economy. The bee emblem adopted by the city's coinage was tied to the sanctuary of Artemis at Ephesos, one of the wealthiest temple complexes in the ancient world, which functioned partly as a regional bank and almost certainly influenced the city's monetary output during this period.