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Tetartemorion
| Issuer | Delphi |
|---|---|
| Year | 500 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Drachm |
| 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 | Log in to see details |
| 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 | Deep incuse square formed by a single punch strike, its interior irregularly subdivided into four quadrants by raised ridges, characteristic of the early Greek incuse technique. The surface within the segments exhibits irregular die flaws and surface irregularities typical of archaic Phocian fractional silver coinage. 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 | Delphi |
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| Additional information |
Delphi's autonomous silver coinage is closely tied to the sanctuary's administrative role rather than any civic minting tradition — the issues served practical needs of the festival economy surrounding the Pythian Games and the constant traffic of pilgrims, theorodokoi, and merchants passing through the sanctuary. At this fractional weight, the tetartemorion functioned at the lowest viable denomination of Greek silver coinage, useful for small transactions that even an obol could not accommodate.
The BCD collection reference places this among material assembled by a single specialist over decades; BCD Lokris 369 reflects the geographic cataloging convention grouping Phokian and Delphic issues together under broader Central Greek regional headings.