The Athenian Coinage, from Mines to Markets

This study tries to identify the main parameters determining the rhythm and scale of annual coin production in Athens by considering first the profitability of the Laurion mining district. The next stage is to clarify the relationships between mining activity and monetary production by examining epigraphic documents from Athens and Delphi dealing with coin manufacture. The main conclusion is that the greatest part of the Laurion silver was converted into Athenian coins by mine lessees to defray their operating costs.