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Description
Cretan coinage presents some special features, such as its own weight standard, the frequent practice of overstriking and countermarking of local and foreign coins, and a limited circulation outside the island. In the late 4th and 3rd century gold coins were issued intermittently by a limited number of mints. Apart from the gold issues of Kydonia with Aeginetan types, as well as those of Hyrtakina and Lissos, gold coins were struck at Gortyna at specific times, probably as emergency coinage, mainly related to the well-known internal wars. The circulation of foreign gold currencies on the island was similarly limited as attested by coins recorded in hoards, during excavations and as stray finds. Nevertheless, the purpose of this paper is to integrate these rare gold issues into the historical and monetary context of the island through the study of their types, style and weight standard.
