Dikaia-by-Abdera Very Rare AR Distater 490-480 BC Ancient Greek Silver Coin Herakles on Obverse Museum Reproduction CSGDS0053

The city was founded by Dikaios (in Greek meaning Fair), the son of Poseidon. The identification of Dikaia, which is often confused with the Macedonian Dikaia in the Thermaic Gulf, is still controversial; however it has been accepted that the site should be located between Abdera and Maroneia, south-east of Lake Bistonis and north-east of the gulf of Porto Lagos (archaeological site of Katsamakia). Its geographical location close to a large and safe natural harbour, the discovery of its coins in distant areas like Egypt, dated on the second half of the 6th century BC, and the imported pottery from Attica, Corinth and Rhodes indicate that the city was an important commercial centre at least in the Classical Period. The silver coins of Dikaia can be dated from the late 6th century to the first quarter of the 5th century BC. They were struck on the Thraco-Macedonian system and they were using the standards of neighbour cities, such as Thasos, and Maroneia later on. It seems that Dikaia ceased minting coins after the retreat of the Persians and the integration of the city in the First Athenian League. Since then and until the Roman Period there is no information about the city.

DESIGN:
Obverse side
Head of Herakles right, wearing lion’s skin
Legend:
ΔIK (off flan)

Reverse side
Quadripartite incuse square
Legend:
Anepigraphic

A perfect choice for Numismatists, Historians, Military Veterans, Collectors.