Coinage of Akragas

Akragas was a wealthy and powerful Greek state on the southern coast of Sicily, second only to Syracuse in importance. The city was famous for its lavish buildings.

Obol (Silver, 0.79 g), c. 410-406 BCE.

Early designs of the coinage of Akragas remained consistent for nearly a century, depicting Zeus’ standing eagle on the obverse and a crab on the reverse. Around 415 BCE, a shift took place, reinvigorating all denominations of their coinage. The designs became much more intricate.

The coins have been ranked as some of the most beautiful ever produced. Carthaginians sacked the city in 406 BCE, an attack from which Akragas never fully recovered and which put an abrupt end to a period of outstanding coinage.

During the Carthaginian siege of 406 BC, Akragas minted emergency gold coinage. To address the severe financial crisis and need to pay mercenaries, the city melted down it's gold votive offerings. (sacred offerings to the gods)