Ancient coins in the lands of Ukraine: from antiquity to the Middle Ages

Coins of the Greek colonies of the Black Sea Region

Starting from the 7th–6th centuries BC, Greek colonists founded dozens of city-states on the shores of the Black and Azov Seas. The most famous are Chersonese (Crimea), Olbia (near modern Mykolaiv), Tyre (Bilhorod-Dniester), Panticapaeum (Kerch). Each polis minted its own coins — and this is one of the most interesting pages of the numismatic heritage in our lands.

Coins of Olbia

Olbia is known for its unique large copper coins in the shape of a fish or dolphin (the so-called "olives" and "dolphins" of the 6th–4th centuries BC) — some of the oldest coins of the Northern Black Sea region. Later, Olbia also minted standard round coins made of silver and copper with the image of Demeter, Apollo, an eagle, and a dolphin.

Coins of Chersonese

Chersonese (near modern Sevastopol) minted coins for more than six centuries — from the 4th century BC to the 3rd century AD. The variety of types is great: images of the goddess Virgo (patron of the city), Hercules, Parthenos. Some rare Chersonese coins are worth several thousand dollars.

Coins of Panticapaeum and the Bosporan Kingdom

Panticapaeum (modern Kerch) — the capital of the Bosporan Kingdom — minted coins, including gold staters with the image of Pan or Apollo. Gold coins of the Bosporus are a rarity that are highly valued at auctions. Some specimens are sold for tens of thousands of dollars.

Medieval coins in Ukraine

Coins of Kievan Rus

Gold and silver coins (10th–11th centuries) — the first own coins of the Kievan state, one of the rarest numismatic treasures. More about them in the article about rare coins of Ukraine.

Coins of the Galician-Volyn Principality

In the 14th century, the Galician-Volyn Principality minted its own coins — the "quartnyki" of Dmytro Dedko, close to the Polish and Lithuanian coinage tradition. These are very rare coins, kept mainly in museums.

Golden Horde coins in Ukraine

In the 13th–15th centuries, a significant part of Ukrainian lands was under the influence or power of the Golden Horde. Horde dirhams and dangs — silver coins with Arabic inscriptions — are found throughout Ukraine. Some rare variants and coins of specific khans have significant numismatic value.

Coins of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

In the 15th–16th centuries, most of the Ukrainian lands were part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Lithuanian money, half-money and denarii are a common find in Right-Bank Ukraine. Rare variants from specific mints have a collector's value.

How to buy ancient coins from the territories of Ukraine: what you need to know

Buying antique coins is a separate science that requires attention and basic knowledge. Here are the key points.

Legislation

In Ukraine, the circulation of archaeological finds is regulated by law. Coins found illegally (without permission) are contraband and may be confiscated. Buy coins with provenance — that is, with documents or a known history of being in a collection.

Provenance is your protection

Provenance (the origin of a coin) is not only a legal, but also a numismatic concept. A coin with a documented "pedigree" (an old auction catalog, a museum inventory card, correspondence between collectors) is worth more. And vice versa: a coin without provenance arouses suspicion among buyers.

Where to buy safely

• Specialized numismatic stores with a license to trade in antiques.
• Well-known international auction houses (Roma Numismatics, CNG, etc.) - they carefully check the provenance of lots.
• Private collectors with a long-standing reputation in the numismatic community.