Les monnaies athéniennes aux v e-IV e siècles av. n. è., des mines du Laurion au Marché de la Cité

Translated title of the contribution: 5th- and 4th-century BCE Athenian coins, from the mines of Laurion to the market of the polis

    Research output: Contribution in Book/Catalog/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (peer-reviewed)peer-review

    Abstract

    In this paper we propose to trace the process of transformation undergone by silver at Athens, from its mining in Laurion to the minting of the famous owl coins. First we shall attempt to deine the lower threshold of proitability of the mining sector from an estimation of the various costs associated with mineworking. Second, we shall seek to clarify the relationships between mining activity and monetary production by means of a thoroughgoing examination of a number of epigraphic documents dealing with coin manufacture, not only at Athens but also at Delphi. This examination shows that at Athens, mining «impresarios» must have had the option of taking their mined silver to the mint for processing into coins. This prompts two major conclusions: irstly, that it was the mining «impresarios» who dictated the rate and scale of minting; and secondly, it was likewise they who put the vast majority of newly-minted coins into circulation.

    Translated title of the contribution5th- and 4th-century BCE Athenian coins, from the mines of Laurion to the market of the polis
    Original languageFrench
    Title of host publicationLes métaux précieux
    Subtitle of host publicationde l’extraction à la frappe monétaire (Antiquité – Moyen Âge)
    EditorsChristian Rico, Almudena Orejas
    Place of PublicationRome
    PublisherCasa de Velazquez
    Pages195-213
    Number of pages19
    Volume48
    Edition1
    ISBN (Print)978-84-9096-194-0
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2018

    Publication series

    NameMélanges de la Casa de Velázquez
    ISSN (Print)0076-230X

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