Ancient Archaic Period - 500-401 BCE Phocis, Federal Issue AR Obol NGC Choice VF

From the Faces in Time Collection of Ancient coinage (19).

Phicis, Federal Coinage, 500-401 BC. AR Obol (1.05g). Obverse: Head of bull facing. Reverse: Potome of wild boar facing right within an incuse square. NGC Strike: 5/5, Surface 4/5. Williams 177; BCD 229.5.

The ruins of the ancient Greek theatre of Delphi (located in Phocis).

Phocis was mostly pastoral and its coinage began at a very early time. Similar to the archaic coinage of Arcadia, it is distinctly federal in character. There were 22 confederate town of Phocis that held their periodic synedrion (assembly) in a structure called the Phokikon, near Daulis, and perhaps the federal mint may have been established there. Currency would be produced at this mint upon the occasion of the synedrion meetings, where one may assume a concourse of citizens from all around Phocian lands were gathered. It was probable that a fair or market took place for the exchange and purchase of goods, similar to such at Delphi during the Phythian festivals.