Research Information System
OLBA, vol.25, pp.227-239, 2017 (AHCI)
This paper deals with small fraction silver coins issued in the Late Hellenistic period by Komama in Pisidia. All of these coins were produced only from one pair of die. The obverse bears the diademed head of Artemis with the letter of K in left and the reverse reflects a long torch with the legend of KOMA/MEON. The limited production of it brings to mind that they may have been minted from precious metals that support bronze coins in the circulation only once for a specific purpose rather than for the need of money. When silver coins of Komama are compared with the silver coins of the Lykian League Period IV Serie 7 and the Stratonikeia Group 4, it can be seen that they fit the same weight standards and that they all bear legends or letters on the obverse. This practice, which began to appear in the 1st century BC on the silver coins of the poleis in Asia Minor, is a clear indication of the Roman influence in coin designs. The weights of 22 known specimens indicate that they were issued as hemidrachm, which is equal to Roman unit quinarius. The reign of King Amyntas (39-25 BC) is suggested for dating the hemidrachm series of Komama.