A new thorough publication on Ancient Messambrian coins | 2009-11-16 11:50:46

The second volume of prof. Ivan Karayotov's book "The coinage of Mesambria" came off the press. It is dedicated to the bronze emissions minted in the antique polis during Classic, Hellenic and Roman times. More than 5000 coins are described in this substantial catalogue, from Bulgarian and foreign museums and from private collections as well. The greatest number of them are from "Ancient Nessebar" Museum and from the Archaeological museum of Burgas.
The book consists of five chapters that describe, interpret and date 10 independent Messambrian types as well as numerous types of coins minted by Emperor Octavian Augustus (27 BC - AD 14) during the Roman domination in Thrace and by the Thracian king Remetal I (10 BC - AD 12), covering also emissions from Philip the Arab (244 - 249 BC) and his son Philip the Young.
Chapter 5 is under the title of "The Messambrian pantheon" and is dedicated to local cults reflected on coins, and inside chapter 6 a historic interpretation of coin minting in Nessebar is presented. The work as a whole contains a rich information about the widespread circulation of Messambrian bronze coins, found so far in almost 200 ancient settlements, covering a large region from Crimea to Belgium and from the Carpathian mountains to Athens.
There is an English version of the book as well (“The Coinage of Mesambria, Vol. II, Bronze coins of Mesambria”), translated by Irena Vasileva Slavkova, and with Galina Usheva's photos. It is published by the "Centre for Marine History, Archaeology and Ecology" - Sozopol. Pre-printing preparation and organization was realized by "Rhythm 3" advertising agency in Burgas, and the printing itself by "Education and Science" press-house in Sofia.
*Ivan Karayotov. “The coinage of Mesambria, Vol. II, Bronze coins of Mesambria”. Center for maritime history, archaeology and ecology – Sozopol, “RITAM 3” Ltd Burgas, 500 p.