SKYTHIA. Olbia. Circa 437-410 BC. Cast unit (Bronze, 104 mm, 95.48 g). Dolphin right. Rev. Dolphin left with + in relief on blank surface. Anokhin 173. HGC 3.2, 1878 var. SNG BM Black Sea 359. SNG Moskau 244. SNG Stancomb -. Extremely rare and exceptionally well preserved. Somewhat rough and with minor traces of corrosion, otherwise, good very fine.


The renowned cast dolphin currency of the Milesian colony of Olbia evolved from an earlier form of arrow money. Small denominations were produced in great numbers for local trade with the Scythian hinterland, but large denominations - such as this striking example, which, at nearly 100 grams, weighs twenty to fifty times more than the smaller dolphins - are exceedingly rare. Likely too cumbersome and fragile for widespread production, they were eventually supplanted by the city's cast round coinage.