Top 25 Illyrian Silver Coins (Catalogue + Auction Prices)

⚔️ Introduction: The Untold Story of Illyrian Silver Coinage

Illyrian silver coins are among the most mysterious and underappreciated in ancient numismatics. Struck by a network of tribes and cities along the eastern Adriatic coast—from Dyrrachium and Apollonia to the Daorsi and the kingdom of Monunius—these coins offer a raw glimpse into a culture that bridged Greek influence and local tradition.

This catalogue presents 25 of the most remarkable Illyrian silver coins, each with historical insights, obverse/reverse descriptions, and estimated auction prices.

Let’s dive into the rugged world of Illyrian silver coinage.

🪙 Top 25 Illyrian Silver Coins (with Catalogue Details)

1. Dyrrachium Drachm, c. 229–100 BC

Tribe/City: Dyrrachium
Obverse: Cow standing right, suckling calf
Reverse: Double stellate pattern, club in wreath
Weight: ~3.2g
Auction Value: $100–300
Notes: Struck under Roman protectorate; widely circulated across the Balkans.

2. Apollonia Drachm, c. 200–80 BC

City: Apollonia
Obverse: Cow suckling calf left
Reverse: AΠOΛ / magistrate name; thunderbolt within wreath
Weight: ~3.1g
Auction Value: $90–250
Notes: Strong Greek stylistic influence.

3. Monunius I Silver Drachm, c. 280–250 BC

Kingdom: Dardania
Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus
Reverse: MΩNOYNIOY; Dardani horseman
Weight: ~3.3g
Auction Value: $1,000–3,000
Notes: One of the first Illyrian royal coins; extremely desirable.

4. Ballaios Tetradrachm, c. 168–135 BC

Kingdom: Illyrian
Obverse: Bust of King Ballaios
Reverse: King seated holding spear
Weight: ~16.5g
Auction Value: $500–1,500
Notes: Local silver coin with bold portraiture; often found on the Dalmatian coast.

5. Daorson Silver Drachm, c. 100–50 BC

Tribe: Daorsi (modern-day Bosnia)
Obverse: Head of king with tiara
Reverse: Galley prow and dolphins
Weight: ~2.9g
Auction Value: $600–1,200
Notes: Striking maritime symbolism; rare outside of regional finds.

6. Lissus Drachm, c. 229–100 BC

City: Lissus
Obverse: Zeus seated left
Reverse: LS / club and ivy
Weight: ~3.2g
Auction Value: $150–400
Notes: Influenced by Macedonian design but distinct mintmarking.

7. Rhizon Silver Coin, c. 250–200 BC

City: Rhizon (modern-day Risan, Montenegro)
Obverse: Female head (likely goddess)
Reverse: Torch and star
Weight: ~2.8g
Auction Value: $500–1,000
Notes: Rare, tied to Queen Teuta’s naval stronghold.

8. Skodra Drachm, c. 200–168 BC

City: Scodra
Obverse: Apollo laureate
Reverse: Lyre and SC monogram
Weight: ~3.0g
Auction Value: $250–600
Notes: Mix of Greek and native themes.

9. Byllis Drachm, c. 250–150 BC

City: Byllis (southern Illyria)
Obverse: Head of Artemis
Reverse: BΥΛΛΙΟΝ / bow and club
Weight: ~3.1g
Auction Value: $180–400
Notes: Associated with tribal sanctuaries.

10. Pelion Drachm, c. 229–100 BC

City: Pelion
Obverse: Bearded male head
Reverse: PEL / thunderbolt
Weight: ~2.9g
Auction Value: $200–450
Notes: Rarely appears in trade; local ceremonial value.

11–25. (Summarized – Full entries available in PDF download)

Orikos Drachm – Cow & thunderbolt
King Gentius Tetradrachm – Rare anti-Roman coin
Dardania Anonymous Drachm – Horseman + spear
Unknown Scodra Type – Crude head + local symbol
Ballaios Half-Drachm – Smaller version
Teuta Era Coin – Stylized female bust
Rhizon Bronze overstrike on silver
Daorson Galley Variant – Full sailing scene
Dyrrachium + Apollonia Overstrike
Lissus Military Type – Shield reverse
Ardiaei Coinage – Possible issue, disputed
Monunius Variant – Stylized horseman
King Mytilos Coin – Successor to Monunius
Scodra Civic Issue – Laurel + city gate
Byllis Magistrate Marked – DYONYSIOS legend

📊 Auction Price Summary (General Estimates)

Type	Price Range
Common City Drachms (Dyrrachium, Apollonia)	$100–300
Royal Issues (Monunius, Ballaios)	$600–3,000
Tribal/Regional Types (Daorson, Rhizon)	$300–1,200
Rare Local Mints (Pelion, Byllis, Lissus)	$150–600