Bronze dolphins instead of coins: money of ancient Olbia exhibited in Mykolaiv

Among the archaeological finds of the Northern Black Sea region, bronze coins in the shape of small dolphins occupy a special place. They were produced in the ancient city of Olbia, located in the territory of present-day Mykolaiv Oblast. This was reported by the Mykolaiv Regional Museum of Local History.

Such money appeared in the 6th century BC and gradually became a kind of calling card of the inhabitants of Olbia — the Olbiopolites. The coin shape was not chosen by chance. In ancient Greek culture, the dolphin was considered a sacred animal of Apollo — the patron of Olbia. It also symbolized the sea, seafaring and the safe return of ships.

Before the appearance of the dolphins, the first bronze coins in Olbia were made in the shape of arrows. For a certain time both types were used in parallel. Bronze for their production was brought from other Greek colonies.

By around the middle of the 6th century BC, dolphin-coins became the main type of local money. They were used in everyday circulation and at the same time had important religious and symbolic significance.

Today Olbian dolphins are considered among the most famous and unusual monuments of ancient numismatics. You can see the real coins in the exhibition of the Mykolaiv Regional Museum of Local History.

Reminder: previously we wrote:

• Not just the sea and beaches: an ancient island from above became Mykolaiv Oblast’s best photo
• At the site of today’s Korabelnyi District, fish were harvested in large quantities in antiquity
• Valeriy Koba: “Our history should unite us”
• Movie night at sunset, educational performances, concerts: how to spend the weekend in Mykolaiv