Billon Unit (Antiochos imitation; Samarqand) (1-101) front Billon Unit (Antiochos imitation; Samarqand) (1-101) back
no image

Billon Unit Antiochos imitation; Samarqand

 
Billon - -
Description
Issuer
Samarqand (ancient) (Sogdiana (ancient))
Type
Standard circulation coin
Years
1-101
Composition
Billon
Shape
Concave
Technique
Hammered (scyphate)
Demonetized
Yes
Updated
2024-10-09
References
Numista
N#199201
Rarity index
97%

Reverse

Bridled horse's head facing right with circled dot in front.

Edge

Plain

Comment

These coins have a very low silver content, appearing nearly copper-like. More information is needed on their dimensions.

Interesting fact

One interesting fact about this coin is that it is an imitation of a coin originally minted by Antiochos, a king of the Seleucid Empire, but was actually produced in Samarqand, which is now modern-day Uzbekistan. This imitation coin was made of Billon, a type of alloy that is composed of a mixture of metals, often including copper, silver, and other metals. The fact that it is an imitation coin highlights the fact that Samarqand was an important center of trade and commerce during ancient times, and that the city's merchants and traders were familiar with coins from other regions and cultures. Additionally, the use of Billon in the production of this coin suggests that the people of Samarqand had a good understanding of metallurgy and the properties of different metals.