Ancient Coin Stories

I currently have two coins from Smyrna. The first was minted by Lysimachos during the time when he had renamed the city Eurydikeia in honor of his daughter, who he later executed. The second is a more ‘standard’ issue of Smyrna, though I’m not sure from when.

Part of the problem is I believe the magistrate was cut off on the right. There appears to be lettering, but it’s nearly impossible to guess what. I’ve seen varying dates for these types of coins, from mid-third century to mid-second century, so I’m not sure exactly when it was minted.

I have a personal connection to Smyrna as some of my relatives emigrated from the city, which by then had been renamed to Izmir.

Smyrna has a long history, having been first settled during the 3rd millenium BCE. That means Alexander the Great’s invasion came roughly at the mid-point in its history. When Alexander took control, he planned for the signifcant enlargement and improvement of the city, which was undertaken by his successors Antigonos I Monophthalmos and Lysimachos.

During ancient times, the city was often praised as among the most beautiful in the world. The ruins of the ancient city may still be seen.