Ancient Coinage of Myrina, Aeolis


Myrina, a small town on the coast of Aeolian Asia Minor, was known in ancient times primarily for its proximity to the Apollonian temple at Gryneium and - according to Pliny - its tasty oysters.

Browse the Myrina page with thumbnail images.

GONGYLOS II - Tyrant-Dynast of Myrina and Gryneion
Hunter 11Gongylos II, tyrant of Myrina and Gryneion. AE10. Uncertain mint, Myrina or Pergamon. Early Fourth Century BC. 1.14 g. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair rolled. / Ivy leaf, key-like monogram of Gongylos above. Hunter 11; Six 8 in NC XIV; SNG Turkey 9-III 1176-1179.TextImage
Six NC XIV, 7Gongylos, Dynast of Myrina, Aeolis and Gryneion. AE12, 1.2 g. Diademed head of Apollo left. / OΓΓ-like monogram resembling a key. Six 7 in NC XIV.TextImage
Six NC XIV, 7 (2) Gongylos, Dynast of Myrina and Gryneion, Aeolis. AE 10. 5th c. BC. Diademed head of Apollo left with long hair / Monogram of Gongylos, resembling a key, within shallow concave. Six 7 in NC XIV.TextImage
CIVIC AND SEMI-AUTONOMOUS COINAGE
BMC 8Myrina, Aeolis, AR Tetradrachm. ca 155–145 BC. 29.86 mm, 16.33 g. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in three braids / MYΡINAIΩN downwards to left of Apollo of Gryneium, laureate and with long, draped loins, standing right, holding patera and filleted branch, omphalos and amphora at foot right, ΔN monogram in left field, all within laurel wreath. BMC 8; Sacks 22; Paris 318; SNG von Aulock 1663; McClean 7917.TextImage
BMC 11Myrina, Aeolis AR Tetradrachm. ca 155–145 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo standing right, holding be-ribboned branch, amphora at feet, all in wreath. KA monogram in left field. BMC 11. TextImage
BMC 13Myrene, Aeolis, AR Tetradrachm. ca 155–145 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in formal curls / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo of Grynium standing right, holding filleted branch and patera, omphalos and amphora on ground before his feet, ΠY monogram in left field, all within laurel wreath border. BMC Series II, 13; cf Sear 4216.TextImage
BMC 26Myrina, Aeolis. AE15. 2nd-1st Century BC. 3.62 gr. Head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet decorated with griffin / M-Y, Amphora. BMC 26.TextImage
BMC 27-31Myrina, Aeolis, AE16 semi-autonomous issue, After 200 BC. 3.32 g. Laureate head of Apollo right. / MY-ΡI to left and right of amphora or krater, lyre to right. BMC 27-31; Weber 5568-5569; SNG v. Aulock 1666 and 7705; SNG Cop 224-225; Philipsen 1984; SNG Lewis 880; Lindgren I 411.TextImage
BMC 33Myrina, Aeolis, AE17, semi-autonomous issue. AD 100-200. 2.48 g. AΡ KOΡNHΛIOY, draped bust of Apollo right, laurel branch before neck. / MYΡINAIΩN, lyre, palm branch to left. BMC 33-34; SNG Cop 228-229.TextImage
BMC 36Myrina, Aeolis, AE16 semi-autonomous issue, AD 100-200. Magistrate Dionysios. 2.93 g. EΠI CTΡ ΔIONYCIOY, laureate head of Apollo right, branch before neck. / MYΡI, lyre, palm branch to right. BMC 36; Weber 5572; RPC 1918 A; SNG Cop. 230.TextImage
BMC 39Myrina, Aeolis, AE. 2nd c. BC. pseudo-autonomous. 1,82g. Telesphoros standing facing in hooded cloak / MYΡEINAIΩN, Kithara (lyre) with four strings, two dots below. BMC 39.TextImage
BMC 41Myrina, Aeolis, AE17, Semi-autonomous, mid-3rd Century AD. MYΡE-INA, Turreted draped bust of Myrina left / MYΡEI-NAIΩN, Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae. BMC 41, SNG Copenhagen 239, SNG Muenchen 590.TextImage
NYS XVII, 77Myrina, Aeolis, AR Diobol. 1.09 gr. 420-380 BC. Head of female left, hair in a sakkos / MYΡI-NAΩN, Stag grazing left in incuse square. New York Sale, auction XVII, lot 77.TextImage
SG 4216vMyrina, Aeolis, AR tetradrachm, 2nd century BC. Laureate head of Apollo right / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo standing right, amphora at feet, all within laurel wreath. TextImage
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Sacks 13cfMyrina, Aeolis AR Tetradrachm. ca 155-150 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in three tight spiral curls / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo of Grynium standing right, holding phiale in right hand & filleted branch in left, omphalos & amphora at feet, ΠAE monogram in outer left field, all within laurel wreath. TextImage
Sacks 14Myrina, Aeolis AR Tetradrachm. ca 155-150 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair on neck in tight spiral curls / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo of Grynium standing right, holding phiale & filleted branch, omphalos & amphora before his feet, ΠAΩ monogram in outer left field, all within laurel wreath border. TextImage
Sacks 17Myrina, Aeolis AR Tetradrachm. ca 155-150 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in two tight spiral curls / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo of Grynium standing right, holding phiale in right hand & filleted branch in left, omphalos & amphora before feet, EK monogram in outer left field, all within laurel wreath. TextImage
Sacks 19eMyrina, Aeolis AR Tetradrachm. ca 155–145 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in three loose braids / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo of Grynium standing right, holding filleted patera and filleted branch, omphalos & amphora on ground before his feet, ΠA monogram in left field, laurel wreath border. TextImage
Sacks 23Myrina, Aeolis, AR Tetradrachm. Civic type ca. 160–145 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in three loose braids / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo standing right, holding patera and filleted branch; omphalos and amphora at feet, ΔYI monogram to left, all within laurel wreath. Sacks 23; BMC 8.TextImage
Sacks 24Myrina, Aeolis AR Tetradrachm. After 165 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, three loose braids, hair in three loose braids / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo Grynios holding patera and filleted branch, omphalos and amphora at foot right; ΔYoI monogram to left. TextImage
Sacks 24 (2)Myrina, Aeolis AR Tetradrachm. After 165 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, three loose braids, hair in three loose braids / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo Grynios holding patera and filleted branch, omphalos and amphora at foot right; ΔYoI monogram to left. TextImage
Sacks 24
MODERN FAKE		Modern forgery of Myrina, Aeolis AR Tetradrachm. After 165 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, three loose braids, hair in three loose braids / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo Grynios holding patera and filleted branch, omphalos and amphora at foot right; ΔYoI monogram to left. See text file for details. TextImage
Sacks 25Myrina, Aeolis AR Tetradrachm. After 165 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in three loose braids / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo Grynios standing right holding patera and filleted branch; omphalos and amphora at foot right, ΔYΡ monogram behind; all within laurel wreath. TextImage
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Sacks 27Myrina, Aeolis AR Tetradrachm. ca 150-140 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in three loose braids / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo of Grynium standing right, holding phiale in right hand & filleted branch in left, omphalos & amphora before feet, AYT monogram in outer left field, all within laurel wreath. Jameson 1461. TextImage
Sacks 27-2
drachm		Myrina, Aeolis AR Drachm. ca 155–145 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo standing right, amphora at feet, all in wreath. YTA monogram in left field. Sacks 27-2; Oxford 809; Weber 5566; Paris 358-359; Waddington 1330. TextImage
Sacks 30Myrina, Aeolis AR Tetradrachm. ca 150-140 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in three loose braids / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo of Grynium standing right, holding phiale in right hand & filleted branch in left, omphalos & amphora before feet, three monograms in outer left field (MEΠ above ΔYE above MΘ), all within laurel wreath. Text
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Sacks 39Myrina, Aeolis AR Tetradrachm. After 165 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in three loose curls / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo Grynios holding patera and filleted branch, omphalos and amphora at foot right; ΠY monogram to left. Sacks Issue 39; BMC 13; Paris 353. TextImage
Sacks 43Myrina. After 165 BC. AR Tetradrachm. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in two loose curls / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo Grynios holding patera and filleted branch, omphalos and amphora at foot right; ΔYE and HΘ monograms in left field. TextImage
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Sacks 98cfMyrina, Aeolis. After 165 BC. AR Tetradrachm. Laureate head of Apollo right, three loose curls / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo Grynios holding branch and phiale, omphalos and amphora at feet; ΓE monogram to left. TextImage
SNG Cop 213Myrina, Aeolis. 4th Century BC. AR Hemidrachm (1.91 g). Head of Athena right, wearing Corinthian helmet decorated with Nike(?) / Head of Artemis three-quarters facing; M-Y in fields. TextImage
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SNG Cop 216Myrina, Aeolis, AE10, Civic issue, 400-200 BC. Helmeted head of Athena right. / MY-ΡI to left and right of krater or amphora. SNG Cop 216-220; SNG Munich 570.TextImage
SNG Cop 221Myrina. After 165 BC. AR Tetradrachm. Laureate head of Apollo right, hair in three loose braids / MYΡINAIΩN downwards to left of Apollo Grynios holding patera and filleted branch, omphalos and amphora at foot right; monogram left. TextImage
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SNG Cop 221vMyrina, Aeolis. Circa 155-145 BC. AR Tetradrachm. Laureate head of Apollo right / MYΡINAIΩN downwards to left of Apollo Grynios standing right; omphalos and amphora at foot right; monogram to left; all within wreath. Sacks Issue 33. TextImage
SNG Cop 225Myrina, Aeolis. AE 17mm. Laureate head of Apollo right / MY-PA, decorated amphora; lyre right. SNG von Aulock 1666. TextImage
SNG Cop 226Myrina, Aeolis. AE 13mm. Civic issue, 200-25 BC. Radiate head of Helios right / MY-ΡI across fields at the base of an amphora. SNG Cop 226; Weber 5570; BMC 32; Lindgren I 412.TextImage
SNG Cop 231Myrina, Aeolis, AE15 semi-autonomous issue, AD 100-200. 1.98 g. Magistrate Polydas. EΠI CTΡ ΠOΛYΔA, Laureate head of Apollo right, branch before neck. / MYΡI to left of lyre, upright palm branch to right. SNG Cop 231; SNG Righetti 823; RPC IV 1807.TextImage
SNG Cop 232Myrina, Aeolis, AE15, semi-autonomous issue, AD 100-200. Magistrate Kalli.. 2.17 g. MYΡINAIΩN, Laureate, draped bust of Apollo right, laurel branch before head. / EΠI CTΡ KAΛΛI (poorly engraved), lyre. SNG Cop 232 corr. (rev legend).TextImage
SNG Fitz 4328Myrina. After 165 BC. AR Tetradrachm. Laureate head of Apollo right, 3 loose braids / MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo Grynios holding patera and filleted branch, omphalos and amphora at foot right; monogram left. TextImage
SNG Munich 567Myrina, Aeolis AR Hemidrachm. ca 300 BC. Head of Athena right, in crested Attic helmet ornamented with griffin device / Facing bust of Artemis, quiver over shoulder. TextImage
SNG Righetti 823Myrina, Aeolis AE15, semi-autonomous issue. AD 100-200. Magistrate Polyda. 1.98 g. EΠI CTΡ ΠOΛYΔA, laureate head of Apollo right, laurel branch before head. / MYΡI, lyre, upright laurel branch in right field. SNG Righetti 823; SNG Cop 231; Vienna GR34779; SNG Munich 582-583.TextImage
SNG vA 1659Myrina, Aeolis, AE10, 3rd c. BC. 0.98 gr. Helmeted head of Athena left / M-Y to left and right of amphora. SNG von Aulock 1659.TextImage
SNG vA 7706Myrina, Aeolis, AE 15mm; 4.1g. 200-0 BC. Laureate head of Apollo right / MYΡINAIΩN, Amphora, lyre to right. SNG von Aulock 7706.TextImage
Traite 2083Myrina, Aeolis, AR Obol, 4th c. BC, 0.62 g. Facing female head, hair in band with grain ears at sides / MYΡI, Head of goat right within incuse square. Traité II 2083; W. Wroth, BMC Aquisitions 1895 in NC 1896, 13.TextImage
Traite 2083 varMyrine, Aeolis, Tritetartemorion, 0.51 gr, 7mm. Facing female head, hair in band / MYΡI, Head of goat right within incuse square. Traité II 2083 var (denomination).TextImage
Winterthur 2848Myrina, Aeolis, AE17 semi-autonomous issue, AD 100-200. 2.63 g. Magistrate Polydas. EΠI CTΡ ΠOΛYΔA, Laureate head of Apollo left, branch before neck. / MYΡI to left of lyre, upright palm branch to right. Winterthur 2848; Paris 380; Imhoof GRM 88 in RSN 19; Leypold I, 533.TextImage
DOMITIAN
RPC 964Domitian and Domitia, AE22 of Myrina, Aeolis. Magistrate Ae. Kleinias. AD 81-96. 5.39 g. AVTOKΡATOΡA ΔOMITIANON KAICAΡA, laureate head of Domitian right, facing draped bust of Domitia left. / EΠI KΛEINIOY AΡXONTOC around, M-Y Ρ-I across fields, Apollo standing front, holding branch and taenia. RPC II 964; SNG Munich 790; Mionnet Supp. VI, 243; Sestini Descr. 10.TextImage
TRAJAN
BMC 42Trajan, AE17 of Myrina, Aeolis. 2.2g. AYTOKΡATOΡ A TΡAIANON, laureate head right / ΘEAN ΡΩMHN MYΡI, turreted (at front) and draped bust of Roma right. BMC 42; SNG Cop 240.TextImage
MARCUS AURELIUS
BMC 43Marcus Aurelius, AE23.5 of Myrina, Aeolis, 8.3g. AY KAI AYΡHΛIOC OYHΡOC (or similar), laureate head right / EΠI M OYΛ AΡICTOΦANOYC MYΡINAIΩN, Apollo Gryneus standing facing, head left, right shoulder and left breast bare, holding patera over burning altar and laurel branch. BMC 43; Imhoof Griechische Muenzen 248.TextImage
FAUSTINA II
SNG Copenhagen 242Faustina II AE 19 of Myrina, Aeolis. Mangistrate Aristophanes, ΦAVCTINA CEBACTH, draped bust righ / EΠI M OYΛ AΡIΣTOΦA MYΡINAIΩN, Athena or Roma seated left, holding patera, spear and sword. SNG Cop 242; Greau 1736.TextImage
JULIA MAESA
DS-6Julia Maesa AE26 of Myrina, Aeolis. IOYΛA MAICA CEBACTH, draped bust right / EΠ CTΡ (ΦOY) ΦΡEΓEΛΛANOY MYΡEINAI, Ω-N (across fields), Apollo Grynion standing facing, head left, right shoulder and left breast bare, holding patera over burning altar and laurel branch. Unpublished for Julia Maesa. Owner's reference DS-6.TextImage
TRANQUILLINA
BMC 46Tranquillina, AE, Myrina, Aeolis. ΦOYΡ TΡANKYΛΛEINAC, draped bust right, wearing stephane / MYΡEINAIΩN, Artemis huntress kneeling right on the back of a stag and grasping its antlers. BMC 46; SNG Cop. 243.TextImage
BMC 46 (2)Tranquillina, AE22 of Myrina, Aeolis. AD 241-244. ΦOYΡ TΡANKYΛΛEINA C, draped bust right / MYΡEINAIΩN, Artemis standing right, her knee on the back of a stag which she grasps by the antlers. BMC 46; SNG Cop 243.TextImage
PDF download: Sacks: The Wreathed Coins of Myrina and Kinns: Myrina and Related Forgeries, in ANS Museum Notes Vol. 30, available freely worldwide on Hathitrust thanks to the generosity of the ANS.