Illyria. Dyrrhachion circa 200-37 BC. Alkaios and Arniskos, magistrates
Drachm AR

18 mm, 3,34 g

ΑΛΚΑΙΟΣ Cow standing to right, looking back and suckling calf standing to left beneath her; in exergue, trident right / ΔYP / AP/NI/ΣΚΟΥ, divided double square containing two stellate designs.

Good Very Fine

Ceka 31. HGC 3.1, 40.

Ex Obolos 19, 240

The ancient region of Illyria, situated along the western Balkans on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, produced a fascinating range of coinage that reflects the region’s interactions with neighboring Greek, Roman, and other cultures. Beginning in the 4th century BC, as Greek influence spread and local economies developed, the Illyrians began issuing their own coins, which played a significant role in both regional and international trade. Two of the most prominent cities in Illyria, Dyrrhachium (modern Durrës in Albania) and Apollonia (near modern Fier in Albania), were originally Greek colonies that became key centers of coin production. The coins from these cities, particularly the silver drachms, are among the most well-known Illyrian coinage. The obverse of these coins typically features a depiction of a cow or a cow suckling a calf, a motif that symbolized agricultural fertility and prosperity, central to the economies of these cities. The reverse side usually displays a distinctive double stellate pattern, often within a square or circular border, with inscriptions naming the issuing city. These coins were widely circulated, indicating the significant role these cities played in trade across the Adriatic and into the broader Mediterranean world.