Сообщение про коллекции монет из 10 предложений

Ancient Coins The Hermitage collection of Ancient Greek coins numbers 63,360 items. It covers a period from the appearance of coins in the 7th century B. C. to the 5th century A. D. They were minted in practically all regions of the Ancient World from Spain to Bactria.

The first gold Lydian staters attract attention, as do a very respectable selection of electrum coins from the city of Cyzicus, the first international currency of ancient times.

The collection also includes such masterpieces of ancient coinage as the famous Syracusan dekadrachms the work of the remarkable artists and die-engravers Cimon and Euainetos. These splendid pieces are the first commemorative coins in history. They were minted to celebrate the victory of the Syracusans over the Athenians in 413 B. C. and comprise the pride of our collection.

The Hermitage has a highly interesting set of gold oktadrachms from Ptolemaic Egypt. These coins, some of the largest gold pieces produced in the Ancient World, are as a rule superbly made and well preserved. Minted for commemorative purposes and distributed at various formal occasions, they were therefore carefully kept by the recipients.

Represented in considerable quantity in the collection are the gold staters of such noted rulers as Lysimachus, Alexander the Great and his father Philip II, minted in various cities of the Ancient World