Cretan Coins

THE REPRESENTATION OF THE OLIVE TREE ON CRETAN COINS

The minting of coins which copied the Athenian-style coins began around 200 BC, following the first Macedonian war of the Romans against Philip V. In this war the Athenians and the Cretans allied themselves with Rome. The Cretans sent an army to Greece, and as a result, minted four-drachma coins which were similar to the Athenian-style coins, in order to pay their troops. The four-drachma coins bore the name of the city and a small figure or shape, often the symbol of the city. The cities which minted this type of coins were Knossos, Kydonia, Gortyn, Hierapytna, Lappa, Polyrrhenium and Priansus.

Silver four-drachma coin from Knossos, 2nd c. BC. On the front of the coin is the head of Athena shown wearing an ornate helmet. On the reverse side of the coin is an owl perched atop a panathenian amphora. In the background is the symbol of the city, the well-known labyrinth, and the inscription Of Knossos. An olive wreath encircles the scene.

Silver four-drachma coin from Gortyn, 2nd c. BC. On the front of the coin is the head of Athena shown wearing an ornate helmet. On the reverse side of the coin is an olive wreath which encircles an owl perched atop a panathenian amphora. In the background is the figure of a bull and the inscription Of Gortyn.

Silver four-drachma coin from Polyrhenium, 2nd c. BC. On the front of the coin is the head of Athena shown wearing an ornate helmet. On the reverse side of the coin is an olive wreath which encircles an owl perched atop a panathenian amphora. In the background is the goddess Artemis Dictynna and the inscription Of Polyrrhenium.