Ancient Spanish Coins

Which coins are considered Ancient Spanish coins?

The coinage of ancient Spain is diverse and spans a long period, influenced by various civilizations and cultures that inhabited the Iberian Peninsula. Generally speaking, the coinage can be traced from as early as the 6th century BCE, with the production of Iberian coins, until the beginning of the Roman Empire around the 1st century A.D.

What makes ancient Spanish coins so special?

Ancient Spanish coins are special due to their historical significance, cultural diversity, artistic expression, economic insights, and numismatic value. They serve as tangible links to the history of the Iberian Peninsula, offering insights into the political, economic, and cultural developments of various civilizations that inhabited the region. Furthermore, these coins provide valuable information about economic systems, trade routes, and commercial activities, contributing to our understanding of ancient economies. With their scarcity, historical context, and artistic appeal, ancient Spanish coins hold significant numismatic value and are prized by collectors worldwide. Overall, these coins are windows into the past, preserving the legacy of ancient civilizations and capturing the richness of Spain's ancient history.

Which characteristics do Ancient Spanish coins have in common?

Ancient Spanish coins share common characteristics that span across different types and periods. They were typically made of metals such as silver, bronze, gold, or copper. Symbolism also played a significant role, with depictions of deities, rulers, animals, or abstract designs representing the cultural or religious beliefs of the respective civilization. Many coins bore mintmarks, indicating the city or mint of origin, providing important historical and regional context. Additionally, due to interactions with different cultures, these coins often exhibit influences from civilizations such as the Romans, Greeks, Punics or Celts.

Which ancient Spanish coins can you purchase at VCoins?

At VCoins, we offer a wide collection of Ancient Spanish coins minted by several civilizations from across the Iberian Peninsula, including Greek, Celtic, Phoenician, and Punic issues. It is important to note that Bolskan issues can be found in the Iberian subcategory.

Which different tribes minted Ancient Spanish coins?

The first Hispanic issues were those of the Greek colonies of Emporium and Rhode. Soon afterwards, some Iberian cities began to mint coins. The Celtiberians, a Celtic people settled in central and north-eastern Spain, minted coins during the 3rd to 1st centuries BCE, often imitating Greek and Roman styles while incorporating unique Celtic motifs. The Phoenician colonies in Spain began minting their own coins around the 5th century BCE and continued until the 3rd century BCE. This period coincided with the height of Phoenician trade and influence in the region. Finally, the Punics, who were descendants of the Phoenicians, minted coins from the 4th century BCE until the defeat of Carthage by the Romans in the Second Punic War, which concluded in 201 BCE.

Celtiberian coins in Spain

Celtiberian coins were minted in Spain during the 3rd to 1st centuries BCE by the Celtiberians, a Celtic people who settled in central and north-eastern parts of the Iberian Peninsula. These coins were influenced by both Greek and Roman coinage styles but incorporated distinct Celtic motifs and designs. In this sense, they often featured stylized heads, horses, weapons, and other symbols associated with Celtic culture. The designs were intricate and exhibited a high level of craftsmanship. The inscriptions on these coins were typically in a native Celtiberian script. The minting of Celtiberian coins played a significant role in facilitating trade and commerce within their territories since they were used for both local transactions and interactions with neighbouring civilizations.

Greek coins in Spain

Greek coins were present in ancient Spain during the period of Greek colonization in the Mediterranean. Greek colonies were established along the southern and eastern coasts of the Iberian Peninsula, starting in the 6th century BCE. Greek coins circulated in trade networks and influenced the local economies and monetary systems. They were primarily mainly minted from silver. These coins, known as drachms, were the most common denomination. Their designs were heavily influenced by Greek iconography and mythology. Pegasus and a female fertility goddess who could be Arethusa were often depicted. These representations reflected the cultural and religious beliefs of the Greek settlers and conveyed a sense of identity and connection to their Greek homeland.

Iberian coins in Spain

Iberian coins in Spain were minted by the indigenous Iberian people during ancient times, specifically from the 6th century BCE until the Roman conquest. These coins often featured stylized patterns, abstract symbols, and sometimes depictions of animals or deities. Their designs were highly symbolic and represented the cultural and religious beliefs of the Iberian people. The inscriptions on Iberian coins were typically written in a native Iberian script, which remains largely undeciphered today. These inscriptions were concise and often abbreviated, providing valuable information about the issuing authority or city of minting. The materials used for the coins varied, with both silver and bronze being common. The Iberian coinage system also had different denominations, which in many cases was similar to the Roman monetary system, with the denarius and the as as units.

Phoenician and Punic coins in Spain

Phoenician and Punic coins were minted in Spain during the periods of Phoenician and Carthaginian presence in the region. On one hand, the Phoenicians, a seafaring civilization originating from the eastern Mediterranean, established colonies along the southern and eastern coasts of the Iberian Peninsula. In these colonies, Phoenician-influenced coins were minted. These coins typically featured Phoenician symbols, motifs, and inscriptions, reflecting the cultural and trade connections between the Phoenicians and their Mediterranean counterparts. On the other, the Punics, who were descendants of the Phoenicians and established the city of Carthage in North Africa, also had a presence in Spain. Their coins were minted in Carthaginian territories in southern and eastern Spain. These often incorporated Punic iconography, such as depictions of deities, animals, and other symbols associated with Carthaginian culture and religion, such as the palm tree and the horse.