70. Drahma Coin, Gemini type - the two faces of the Danube, Histria, 434-300 BC, the first coin struck on the current territory of Romania, silver

In the 5th century BC, Histria entered a new phase of economic development, marking the beginning of the mints. Between 480-475 BC, the Greek colony began to issue its own coins, the famous silver drachmas, considered the first coins on the current territory of Romania. These coins had on the obverse the emblem of the city, represented by an eagle above a dolphin, oriented to the left, alongside the Greek inscription IΣTPI (ISTRI), naming the colony. According to Nicolae Iorga, these symbols, the eagle holding a dolphin in its claws, were also used by other Greek cities, such as Sinope and Olbia. On the reverse of the Istrian coins, there are two adjoining human heads, one of them being positioned inverted, probably representing the Dioscuri or other protective deities of the city's trade. The silver drachmas issued in Istria circulated over quite a wide area, including Dobrogea, being also discovered in Muntenia and Moldova. Over time, the weight of the Istrian drachma decreased, going from 7-8 grams in the 5th century BC, to 5-6 grams in the 4th century BC. In addition to drachmas, other silver division coins were also minted in Istria, such as the hemidrachm (half a drachma), a quarter drachma, obol (equivalent to 1/6 of a drachma) and hemiobol (equivalent to 1/2 of an obol or 1/12 of a drachma).

Dimensions

custom d=16 mm

Description

silver

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