Byzantion was an ancient Greek colony in early antiquity that later became Constantinople, and later Istanbul. Byzantium was colonized by the Greeks from Megara in c. 657 BC.
It was mainly a trading city due to its location at the Black Sea's only entrance. Byzantium later conquered Chalcedon, across the Bosporus on the Asiatic side.
The location of Byzantium attracted Roman Emperor Constantine I who, in 330 AD, refounded it as an imperial residence inspired by Rome itself. After his death the city was called Constantinople (Greek Κωνσταντινούπολις, Konstantinoupolis, "city of Constantine").
On May 29, 1453, the city fell to the Ottoman Turks, and again became the capital of a powerful state, the Ottoman Empire. The Turks called the city "Istanbul" - the name derives from "eis-tin-polin" (Greek: "to-the-city").
It was mainly a trading city due to its location at the Black Sea's only entrance. Byzantium later conquered Chalcedon, across the Bosporus on the Asiatic side.
The location of Byzantium attracted Roman Emperor Constantine I who, in 330 AD, refounded it as an imperial residence inspired by Rome itself. After his death the city was called Constantinople (Greek Κωνσταντινούπολις, Konstantinoupolis, "city of Constantine").
On May 29, 1453, the city fell to the Ottoman Turks, and again became the capital of a powerful state, the Ottoman Empire. The Turks called the city "Istanbul" - the name derives from "eis-tin-polin" (Greek: "to-the-city").
Modern location: Istanbul, Turkey
(1)
Byzantion
An
AR
Hemidrachm
struck 387-340 BC
in
Byzantion
Obverse: forepart of cow left, below dolphin swimming left; (BY)
Reverse: wide ornamented trident
Diameter:
10 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.9 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 1.9 g
No notes for this coin
Schönert-Geiss Byzantion 778; SNG BM 17; Klein 88; SNG Cop 484 var. (monogram); BMC Thrace p. 94, 23 var. (same), SGCV I 158
(2)
Byzantion
|
Lysimachos
An
AR
Tetradrachm
struck c. 125-75 BC
in
Byzantion
|
Chalcedon
Obverse: Head of the deified Alexander with Ammon's horns right
Reverse: Athena Nikephoros seated left; BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΛYΣIMAXOY, monogram (ΠΩΛYB) to left; BY below throne, trident in exergue
Diameter:
34 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.89 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 16.89 g
No notes for this coin
Marinescu 508 (O. 211 R. 483) issue 149; Dewing 1361, Müller 204; Gorny & Mosch: Auction 160 lot 1182, Künker Auction 174 lot 174
(3)
Chalcedon
|
Lysimachos
An
AR
Tetradrachm
struck c. 250-100 BC
in
Chalcedon
|
Byzantion
Obverse: Head of the deified Alexander with diadem and Ammon's horns right
Reverse: Athena enthroned left, holding Nike with wreath, transverse spear, resting hand on shield; BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΛYΣIMAXOY // AΣ / KAΛXA
Diameter:
32.5 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 17.1 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 17.1 g
Dies for Chalcedon and Byzantion tetradrachms were made by the same engravers and probably also struck in the same workshop.
Marinescu 115 (O. 44 R. 104) issue 50
(4)
Julia Domna
.jpg)
Obverse: IOVΛIA AVΓOVCTA, Bust of Julia facing right, wearing diadem and drapery
Reverse: BVZANTIΩN, Athena standing facing, head left, holding shield and inverted spear
Diameter:
26 mm
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 10.3 g
Die Orientation: 12 H
Weight: 10.3 g
No notes for this coin
Varbanov 1743