I love how these punchmarked coins show a different way of thinking about coin production. In a way, they are similar to how the Greeks and Lydians made it: Make a flan, stamp an image on it. But thats where the similarities ended, the different way of adding regal symbols, in a series of stamps, rather than one simple design is fascinating. There is also the matter of how they ensured the coins were of a standard weight. In the west, coins were struck to the pound. X coins were supposed to be made with 1 standard pound of metal. With PMCs, we see a much higher level of control. Imagine how labor-intensive would have been to have mintworkers chipping pieces of silver off these flans all day long, for the sake of consistency on the weight of each coin. Thanks for another fun vide, Glen!
Really charming little pieces!!
I love how these punchmarked coins show a different way of thinking about coin production.
In a way, they are similar to how the Greeks and Lydians made it: Make a flan, stamp an image on it.
But thats where the similarities ended, the different way of adding regal symbols, in a series of stamps, rather than one simple design is fascinating.
There is also the matter of how they ensured the coins were of a standard weight. In the west, coins were struck to the pound. X coins were supposed to be made with 1 standard pound of metal. With PMCs, we see a much higher level of control.
Imagine how labor-intensive would have been to have mintworkers chipping pieces of silver off these flans all day long, for the sake of consistency on the weight of each coin.
Thanks for another fun vide, Glen!
Thanks Glen, interesting video. I did not know anything about these types of coins.