REMARKS ON THE LAST COINAGE OF OLBIA PONTICA

Abstract

Olbia, founded in the 7th century BC, produced its coinage from the 6th century BC onwards. At the end of the 2nd century AD, the city became part of the Moesia Inferior province. In the first quarter of the 3rd century AD, Olbia minted two series of coins, the first for Septimius Severus and the second for Severus Alexander. The aim of the article is to verify the current findings about the Olbian coinage of Severus Alexander. The discussion will focus on the dating, denomination system and iconography of Olbia’s coinage during this period. The issue from Alexander’s time consisted of five types representing four denominations. The tetrassaria, diassaria and assaria had a portrait of the emperor on the obverse, while the obverses of triassaria (two types) bear the image of Julia Mamaea. The reverses of individual types feature motifs known mostly from the coinage of other centres of Moesia Inferior as well as Bithynia and Pontus. Some motifs on the reverses referred to local traditions. Larger denominations had value markings. Both issues minted under Septimius Severus and those from the time of Severus Alexander were produced for practical and demonstrative purposes. The series of coins by Severus Alexander ended the history of the Olbian mint.