Dyrrhachium Coins: Complete Collector's Guide

From Greek Illyrian city-state to Roman hub: Master the cow-and-calf silver drachms of the Adriatic gateway

c. 350–100 BC Modern Durrës, Albania Silver Drachms + Bronze
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WHAT ARE DYRRHACHIUM COINS?

The famous "cow & calf / double stellate" coinage of the Adriatic gateway

Definition & Collector Focus

Dyrrhachium coins are the civic issues of the ancient Greek/Illyrian city of Dyrrhachium (modern Durrës, Albania), a major Adriatic port and trade hub. Most collectors refer specifically to the silver drachms featuring the iconic cow-and-calf obverse and double stellate reverse.

Key Collector Characteristics

  • Iconic Type: Cow standing left/right with suckling calf
  • Reverse: Double stellate pattern (star pattern)
  • Material: Primarily silver (AR), some bronze (AE)
  • Period: Peak production 3rd–2nd centuries BC
  • Key Feature: Magistrate names in legends

Spelling Variations

  • Greek: ΔΥΡΡΑΧΙΟΝ (Dyrrachion)
  • Latin: DYRRHACHIVM
  • Modern: Dyrrhachium (collectors)
  • Common Alt: Durrhachium
  • Modern City: Durrës, Albania

Why Dyrrhachium Coins Matter

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Trade Hub

Adriatic Gateway: Connected Italy with Balkans

Wide Circulation: Found across Illyria, Epirus, Macedonia

Trade Currency: Used in regional commerce

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Civic Identity

City Pride: Ethnic legend shows autonomy

Magistrate System: Names document officials

Artistic Style: Distinctive regional coinage

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Numismatic Bridge

Greek → Roman: Shows transition period

Regional Styles: Illyrian + Greek influences

Collectible: Obtainable, historic, attractive

Essential NumisDon Pillar Links

Illyrian Coins Hub Greek Coins Context Ancient Coins Overview Apollonia Sister Series
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DYRRHACHIUM IN HISTORY

Why this Adriatic city needed its own coinage

Strategic Geography: The Adriatic Gateway

Dyrrhachium occupied one of the best natural harbors on the eastern Adriatic coast, making it a crucial trade link between Italy and the Balkan interior. This strategic position drove its economic importance and need for distinctive coinage.

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Geographic Advantages

Natural Harbor: Protected bay for shipping

Trade Routes: Via Egnatia land route connection

Defensible Position: Peninsula with acropolis

Resource Access: Agricultural hinterland, fisheries

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Political Context

Greek Foundation: Corinthian/Corcryrean colony c. 627 BC

Illyrian Influence: Local tribal interactions

Roman Period: Important Roman colony post-229 BC

Autonomy: Maintained civic coinage despite overlords

Why Coinage Was Essential

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Commerce

Standardized currency for local/regional trade

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Identity

Display civic pride and autonomy through coinage

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Administration

Magistrate names document civic officials

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ERAS OF DYRRHACHIUM COINAGE

Collector timeline from civic beginnings to Roman period

c. 350–300 BC
Early Civic Beginnings

Characteristics: Initial local issues, experimentation with types

Rarity: Scarce, often harder to attribute

Collector Note: Foundation of Dyrrhachium's numismatic tradition

c. 300–229 BC
Classic Silver Period (Peak)

Characteristics: Cow-and-calf/double stellate standardization

Output: Massive production, wide circulation

Collector Note: Most common type collectors encounter

c. 229–100 BC
Late Hellenistic Transitions

Characteristics: Style variations, magistrate system continues

Context: Roman influence increases after 229 BC

Collector Note: Gradual changes in fabric and style

c. 100 BC onward
Roman Period Context

Characteristics: Some civic coinage continues under Rome

Transition: Eventually replaced by Roman provincial coinage

Collector Note: Shows city's continued importance

Key Characteristics by Era

Early Period
  • Experimentation with designs
  • Less standardized weights
  • Often smaller issues
  • Foundation for classic type
Classic Period
  • Standard cow-and-calf type
  • Consistent double stellate reverse
  • Magistrate names standard
  • Broad thin flans characteristic
Late Hellenistic
  • Style variations appear
  • Some degradation in quality
  • Continued magistrate system
  • Roman influence visible
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METALS, WEIGHTS & DENOMINATIONS

Practical guide to what collectors actually encounter

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Silver (AR)

The Famous Drachms
Standard Drachm

Weight Range: 3.0–3.5g (typically ~3.2g)

Diameter: 16–20mm (broad thin flan)

Fabric: Usually well-struck, good silver

Collector Note: 90% of Dyrrhachium coins encountered

Fractional Silver

Hemidrachms: ~1.5–1.8g, half-size

Diobols: Smaller, less common

Obols: Rare fractional issues

Identification: Same design, scaled down

Silver Quality: Generally good silver content, often porous surfaces from burial, attractive natural toning common

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Bronze (AE)

Local Circulation Coinage
Bronze Units

Weight Range: Highly variable, 5–15g

Diameter: 15–25mm depending on denomination

Types: Various civic designs, often animals/objects

Challenge: Harder to attribute than silver

Roman Period Bronze

Context: Civic issues under Roman oversight

Designs: May mix Greek and Roman elements

Identification: Look for Dyrrhachium ethnic in Greek

Bronze Challenges: Often worn/corroded, many local varieties, attribution requires legend reading or style matching

Dyrrhachium Weight Checker

Weight Standards Quick Reference

Denomination Expected Weight Diameter Range Common Condition
Silver Drachm 3.0–3.5g 16–20mm Good VF, often porous
Hemidrachm 1.5–1.8g 12–15mm Scarcer, often worn
Bronze Unit 5–12g 17–22mm VF but corroded common
Small Bronze 2–5g 10–15mm Often poorly preserved
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THE ICONIC DYRRHACHIUM DESIGNS

Cow-and-calf and double stellate: The DNA of this series

Design Elements That Define Dyrrhachium Coinage

Two design elements instantly identify Dyrrhachium coins: the obverse cow-and-calf motif and the reverse double stellate pattern. Understanding variations within these types is key to attribution.

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The Cow-and-Calf Motif

Why This Symbol?

The cow with suckling calf represents agricultural prosperity, fertility, and possibly connections to the foundation myth or local cults. It's a peaceful, prosperous image contrasting with warrior types on other Greek coins.

Common Variations:
  • Pose: Cow standing left (most common) or right
  • Calf Position: Suckling, sometimes standing nearby
  • Ground Line: Often indicated, sometimes exergue line
  • Border: Usually dotted border within linear circle
  • Additional Symbols: Sometimes monograms or symbols in field
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The Double Stellate Pattern

Instant Recognition Feature

The reverse features two large six- or eight-pointed stars arranged vertically within a linear circle. This distinctive pattern is rarely found on other Greek coinage, making it a sure identifier for Dyrrhachium/Apollonia series.

Key Layout Features:
  • Star Points: Usually 6 or 8 points per star
  • Arrangement: One above the other, often touching
  • Field Elements: Ethnic legend around stars, magistrate names between/around
  • Monograms: Often placed in fields around stars
  • Border: Dotted border common

Dyrrhachium vs Apollonia: Quick Differentiation

Feature Dyrrhachium Apollonia
Ethnic Legend ΔΥΡΡΑΧΙΝΩΝ (or variants) ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΙΑΤΑΝ
Letter Forms ΔΥΡΡ- cluster distinctive ΑΠΟΛΛ- cluster distinctive
Star Style Often more angular stars Sometimes more rounded stars
Magistrate Placement Often around stars horizontally Similar but style differences
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LEGENDS, MAGISTRATES & MONOGRAMS

The most important chapter for identification and attribution

Reading Dyrrhachium Coin Legends

Dyrrhachium coins contain three key text elements: the city ethnic (always present), magistrate names (usually present), and sometimes monograms or symbols. Learning to read these is essential for proper attribution.

1. City Ethnic Legends

ΔΥΡΡΑΧΙΝΩΝ
Most Common Form

"Of the Dyrrhachians" - genitive plural
Appearance: Around reverse stars
Note: This is the civic ethnic, not mint mark

ΔΥΡΡΑΧΙΩΝ
Variant Form

Shorter variant, same meaning
Period: May indicate different emission period
Collector Note: Both forms equally common

ΔΥΡΡΑΧΙΟΝ
Rare Variant

Neuter singular form
Usage: Less common, specific issues
Importance: Shows dialect/language evolution

2. Magistrate Names System

Single Magistrates

Format: One name in nominative case
Example: "ΑΡΙΣΤΩΝ" (Ariston)
Position: Usually between or around stars
Frequency: Common on earlier issues

Paired Magistrates

Format: Two names, often ΑΝΔΡΟΝΙΚΟΣ ΚΛΕΟΜΑΧΟΣ
Example: "ΑΝΔΡΟΝΙΚΟΥ ΚΛΕΟΜΑΧΟΥ" (genitive)
Position: One above, one below stars often
Frequency: Common on later classic period

Name Recognition Tips
  • Look for common Greek name endings: -ΩΝ, -ΑΣ, -ΗΣ
  • Magistrates often reused across emissions
  • Some magistrates appear on both Dyrrhachium and Apollonia
  • Partial names common due to wear - match patterns

"Legend-First" Identification Method

1
Find Ethnic First

Locate ΔΥΡΡΑ- cluster to confirm Dyrrhachium (not Apollonia)

2
Read Magistrate(s)

Identify one or two names around stars

3
Check Monograms

Note any monograms in fields for additional attribution

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MINT ATTRIBUTION

Dyrrhachium as a mint: Workshop practices and magistrate system

The Dyrrhachium Mint Workshop

While we know coins were struck at Dyrrhachium itself, ancient mints didn't leave "mint marks" in the modern sense. Instead, attribution relies on the ethnic legend, consistent style, and magistrate system.

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What "Mint" Means Here

City Workshop: Physical mint located in Dyrrhachium

Style Consistency: Coins share distinctive local style

Ethnic = Mint: ΔΥΡΡΑΧΙΝΩΝ implies struck at city

No Branch Mints: All coins from main city mint

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Magistrates as Mint Officials

Administrative Role: Magistrates oversaw coin production

Quality Control: Names guarantee weight and purity

Annual Issues: Some magistrates may indicate year of issue

Continuity: Same magistrates sometimes reappear

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TYPE CATALOGUE STRUCTURE

Organizing Dyrrhachium coinage for collector reference

Master Catalogue Organization

This structured approach helps collectors navigate the diversity of Dyrrhachium coinage. The table organizes types by key characteristics for easy reference.

Dyrrhachium Types Reference Table

Era Group Obverse Device Reverse Device Ethnic Form Magistrate Format
Early Civic Cow & calf left Double stellate ΔΥΡΡΑΧΙΝΩΝ Single name
Classic Period A Cow & calf left Double stellate ΔΥΡΡΑΧΙΝΩΝ Single magistrate
Classic Period B Cow & calf right Double stellate ΔΥΡΡΑΧΙΩΝ Two magistrates
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HOW TO IDENTIFY A DYRRHACHIUM COIN

Fast, reliable method for beginners to experts

The Six-Step Identification System

This systematic approach works for any Dyrrhachium coin, from clear silver drachms to worn bronze pieces. Follow these steps in order for reliable attribution.

1
Check Metal & General Type

Silver: Broad thin flan, 16-20mm, 3.0-3.5g → likely drachm

Bronze: Thicker, 15-25mm, variable weight → civic bronze

2
Read the Ethnic Legend

Find ΔΥΡΡΑ-: This confirms Dyrrhachium (not Apollonia)

Location: Around stars on reverse, circular arrangement

3
Identify Magistrate Name(s)

Look around stars: Names usually between or around stars

Format: One name (single magistrate) or two (paired)

Quick ID Flowchart

Cow-and-calf + double stars?
YES →
Read legend: ΔΥΡΡΑ- or ΑΠΟΛΛ-?
ΔΥΡΡΑ- → Dyrrhachium coin
ΑΠΟΛΛ- → Apollonia coin
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RARITY & VALUES

Realistic market guide for Dyrrhachium coins

Dyrrhachium Coin Market Realities

While Dyrrhachium drachms are generally obtainable, prices vary widely based on condition, magistrate rarity, and special features.

Realistic Price Ranges (2024 Market)

Type & Condition Fair (VF) Good (EF)
Common Drachm
(single magistrate)		 $50–$100 $150–$250
Two Magistrates
(both readable)		 $80–$150 $200–$350
Hemidrachm $30–$70 $100–$200
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FAKES & MISATTRIBUTIONS

Protecting yourself in the Dyrrhachium coin market

The Dyrrhachium Fake Landscape

While not as heavily faked as some ancient series, Dyrrhachium coins face specific forgery risks and frequent misattributions.

Common Fake Patterns

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Cast Silver Fakes

How to Spot:

  • Surface bubbles: Tiny pits from casting
  • Soft details: Mushy stars, lacking sharpness
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Misattributions

Dyrrhachium → Apollonia:

  • Check ethnic: ΔΥΡΡΑ- vs ΑΠΟΛΛ- definitive
  • Style differences: Apollonia often more elegant
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COLLECTING DYRRHACHIUM COINS

Building a meaningful collection from beginner to advanced

Popular Collection Themes

Type Collection

Focus: One of each major type

Example: Drachm + hemidrachm + bronze

Magistrate Collection

Focus: Different magistrate names

Example: 5–10 different magistrates

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DYRRHACHIUM IN THE ILLYRIAN WORLD

Regional context and connections to other Illyrian/Greek coinage

The Illyrian Numismatic Landscape

Dyrrhachium coinage didn't exist in isolation. Understanding its place in the wider Illyrian and Adriatic context adds depth to collecting.

Key Regional Connections

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Apollonia Sister City

Relationship: Similar coinage, close geographic proximity

Shared Features: Cow-and-calf + double stellate type

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QUICK REFERENCE CHECKLIST

Save this section for fast identification and attribution

Dyrrhachium Coin Identification Checklist

1. Initial Assessment

2. Legend Reading

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