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The term 'stater' originates from an Ancient Greek word that literally means 'weight', not 'standard'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The term 'stater' derives from the Ancient Greek word 'statēr', which signifies 'weight', reflecting its function as a standardized unit of value and measure, rather than 'standard'.
The earliest known stamped stater was an electrum coin depicting a lion, minted in Lydia.
Answer: False
Explanation: Historical numismatic evidence identifies the earliest known stamped stater not as a Lydian lion coin, but rather as an electrum turtle coin minted in Aegina around 650 BC.
The electrum turtle coin from Aegina, recognized as the earliest stamped stater, is currently housed in the British Museum.
Answer: False
Explanation: While the electrum turtle coin from Aegina is indeed recognized as the earliest stamped stater, its current repository is the Bibliothèqye Nationale in Paris, not the British Museum.
The earliest known stamped stater was minted from electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver.
Answer: True
Explanation: Numismatic consensus holds that the earliest stamped stater was indeed fabricated from electrum, a naturally occurring alloy composed of gold and silver.
The stater was primarily utilized as a unit of weight in ancient Greece, with its function as currency being secondary.
Answer: False
Explanation: This assertion is incorrect; the stater served as a fundamental unit of currency in ancient Greece and beyond, with its name derived from 'weight' signifying its role as a standardized measure of value.
The stater functioned as a standardized unit of value and measure, consistent with the literal meaning of its Greek etymon.
Answer: True
Explanation: The stater's role as a standardized unit of value and measure is directly reflected in its Greek origin, 'statēr', which translates to 'weight'.
What is the literal meaning of the Ancient Greek word 'statēr', the etymon of the term 'stater'?
Answer: Weight
Explanation: The Ancient Greek word 'statēr' literally translates to 'weight', reflecting the stater's function as a standardized measure.
What type of coin is recognized as the earliest known stamped stater, and at which mint was it struck?
Answer: An electrum turtle coin from Aegina
Explanation: The earliest known stamped stater is identified as an electrum turtle coin, which was struck at the mint of Aegina.
Where is the earliest known stamped stater, the Aegina turtle coin, presently housed?
Answer: The Bibliothèqye Nationale in Paris
Explanation: The Aegina turtle coin, recognized as the earliest stamped stater, is currently displayed at the Bibliothèqye Nationale in Paris.
The stater coin commenced circulation as a significant Greek silver currency during the 8th century BC.
Answer: True
Explanation: As documented, the stater began circulating as a Greek silver currency around the 8th century BC, marking its emergence as a key medium of exchange in the ancient world.
The silver stater minted at Corinth, weighing approximately 8.6 grams, was significantly lighter than the Euboean stater.
Answer: True
Explanation: The silver stater from Corinth typically weighed around 8.6 grams, which is considerably less than the Euboean stater's weight of approximately 16.8 grams.
The minting of staters was restricted to only a few major Greek city-states, such as Corinth and Athens.
Answer: False
Explanation: This assertion is inaccurate; staters were minted across a wide array of Greek city-states, far beyond just Corinth and Athens, encompassing numerous other significant centers of commerce and power.
The early Archaic silver stater from Corinth (c. 555-515 BC) features Pegasus on the obverse and a quadripartite incuse pattern on the reverse.
Answer: True
Explanation: Numismatic descriptions confirm that the early Archaic silver stater from Corinth prominently displays Pegasus on its obverse and a quadripartite incuse pattern on its reverse.
The 'Qoppa' symbol on Corinthian staters represented the city's name in its later Greek spelling.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Qoppa' symbol on Corinthian staters actually denoted the city's name in its archaic spelling, not its later form.
The stater struck in Velia (c. 334-300 BC) features Athena wearing a Phrygian helmet on its obverse.
Answer: True
Explanation: Numismatic records confirm that the stater minted in Velia during the specified period depicts Athena adorned with a Phrygian helmet on its obverse.
The silver stater of Mithrapata of Lycia is known for its depiction of Roman emperors.
Answer: False
Explanation: The silver stater of Mithrapata of Lycia predates the Roman imperial period and features imagery related to Lycian rulers, not Roman emperors.
The stater coin circulated continuously from the 8th century BC until approximately the 1st century AD.
Answer: True
Explanation: The historical record indicates that the stater coin maintained continuous circulation from its inception in the 8th century BC through to approximately AD 50.
The 'omphalos' depicted on the Delphi stater symbolizes the sacred stone at Delphi, regarded by the ancient Greeks as the center of the world.
Answer: True
Explanation: The depiction of the 'omphalos' on the Delphi stater accurately represents the sacred stone at Delphi, which was considered the navel or center of the ancient Greek world.
The stater coin ceased circulation entirely by the conclusion of the Roman Republic.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate; the circulation of the stater coin extended beyond the Roman Republic, continuing until approximately AD 50.
The stater was exclusively a silver coin utilized solely within ancient Greece.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is inaccurate; staters were minted in various metals, including gold and electrum, and their usage extended beyond ancient Greece to other regions of Europe.
The earliest Greek silver currency in the form of staters began circulating prior to 1000 BC.
Answer: False
Explanation: The emergence of the stater as Greek silver currency is dated to the 8th century BC, not before 1000 BC.
The minting of the stater coin persisted until approximately AD 50.
Answer: True
Explanation: Historical evidence indicates that the stater coin remained in production until around AD 50, marking the end of its extensive circulation period.
The 'koppa' symbol (Ϙ) on Corinthian staters was employed to signify the city's name in its archaic spelling.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'koppa' symbol on Corinthian staters served as an indicator of the city's name rendered in its archaic Greek orthography.
In which historical period did the stater commence circulation as a Greek silver currency?
Answer: From the 8th century BC
Explanation: The stater began circulating as a Greek silver currency around the 8th century BC.
What was the approximate weight of a silver stater minted at Corinth?
Answer: 8.6 grams
Explanation: A silver stater minted at Corinth typically weighed approximately 8.6 grams.
Which of the following is NOT identified as a city-state that minted staters?
Answer: Rome
Explanation: While numerous Greek city-states minted staters, Rome is not listed among them in the provided context.
What imagery adorns the obverse and reverse of the early Archaic silver stater from Corinth (c. 555-515 BC)?
Answer: Obverse: Pegasus, Reverse: Quadripartite incuse pattern
Explanation: The early Archaic silver stater from Corinth features Pegasus on its obverse and a quadripartite incuse pattern on its reverse.
What did the 'Qoppa' symbol (Ϙ) on Corinthian staters represent?
Answer: The archaic spelling of the city's name
Explanation: The 'Qoppa' symbol on Corinthian staters represented the city's name in its archaic spelling.
Which deity is depicted on the obverse of the silver stater from Delphi (c. 338/336-334/333 BC)?
Answer: Demeter
Explanation: The obverse of the silver stater from Delphi features the depiction of the goddess Demeter.
The stater struck in Velia (c. 334-300 BC) features Athena wearing a helmet. What specific type of helmet and its decoration are mentioned?
Answer: Phrygian helmet with a Centaur
Explanation: The stater from Velia depicts Athena wearing a Phrygian helmet adorned with a Centaur.
What does the term 'quadripartite incuse' signify on the reverse of the Corinthian stater?
Answer: An indented pattern divided into four sections
Explanation: On the reverse of the Corinthian stater, 'quadripartite incuse' refers to an indented pattern divided into four sections.
What is the significance of the 'omphalos' depicted on the Delphi stater?
Answer: It signifies Delphi as the center of the world.
Explanation: The 'omphalos' depicted on the Delphi stater symbolizes Delphi's status as the perceived center of the ancient world.
In ancient Greece, a 'gold stater' primarily functioned as a widely circulated currency, analogous to its silver counterparts.
Answer: False
Explanation: Contrary to this, gold staters in ancient Greece generally served more as an accounting unit or for specific high-value transactions rather than as a common, widely circulated coin like many silver issues.
The value of an Athenian gold stater unit was typically established at approximately 20 drachmae.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source material confirms that the Athenian gold stater unit was indeed typically valued at around 20 drachmae, aligning with its function as an accounting unit.
Gold staters generally weighed approximately half the amount of a silver drachma.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is factually incorrect. Gold staters typically weighed around 8.5 grams, which is roughly twice the weight of a silver drachma (approx. 2.9 grams), not half.
Macedonia is considered the region most strongly associated with the origin and development of gold stater coinage.
Answer: True
Explanation: Numismatic scholarship indicates that Macedonia holds a prominent position regarding the origin and prevalence of gold stater coinage in the ancient Greek world.
The Lydian electrum coin mentioned is denominated as one full stater.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Lydian electrum coin referenced is actually denominated as one-third of a stater, representing an early form of fractional currency.
The gold 20-stater coin of Eucratides I holds the distinction of being the largest gold coin ever minted in Antiquity.
Answer: True
Explanation: Indeed, the gold 20-stater coin issued by Eucratides I is widely recognized as the largest gold coin produced during the ancient period.
The gold stater of Alexander the Great features Athena on the obverse and Nike on the reverse.
Answer: True
Explanation: Numismatic analysis confirms that the gold stater of Alexander the Great typically displays Athena on the obverse and Nike on the reverse.
The gold 20-stater coin of Eucratides I possesses a diameter of approximately 58 millimeters.
Answer: True
Explanation: The substantial dimensions of the gold 20-stater coin of Eucratides I are confirmed by its diameter, which measures approximately 58 millimeters.
The 'kyzikenoi' from Cyzicus were gold staters valued at 28 drachmae.
Answer: True
Explanation: The source material confirms that the 'kyzikenoi' from Cyzicus were indeed gold staters, valued at 28 drachmae.
The 'philippeioi' coins were associated with Alexander the Great, rather than his father Philip II.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is incorrect; the 'philippeioi' coins are specifically associated with Philip II of Macedonia, not his son Alexander the Great.
According to the source material, what was the primary function of a 'gold stater' in ancient Greece?
Answer: To function mainly as an accounting unit
Explanation: The primary function of a gold stater in ancient Greece was generally as an accounting unit, rather than a widely circulated currency.
What was the approximate weight of a typical gold stater?
Answer: 8.5 grams
Explanation: A typical gold stater generally weighed around 8.5 grams.
What is depicted on the reverse of the gold stater of Alexander the Great (c. 328-323 BC)?
Answer: Nike holding a stylis and a wreath
Explanation: The reverse of the gold stater of Alexander the Great typically depicts Nike, holding a stylis and a wreath.
The gold 20-stater coin of Eucratides I is notable for which characteristic?
Answer: The largest gold coin ever minted in Antiquity
Explanation: This coin is notable for being the largest gold coin ever minted in Antiquity.
Celtic tribes adopted the concept of the stater following their encounters in Egypt.
Answer: False
Explanation: The adoption of the stater concept by Celtic tribes occurred not through contact in Egypt, but rather from their experiences serving as mercenaries in northern Greece.
Gallic chiefs modeled their gold staters on the coinage of Philip II of Macedonia.
Answer: True
Explanation: Indeed, the gold staters produced by Gallic chiefs were significantly influenced by and modeled after the 'philippeioi' coins issued by Philip II of Macedonia.
The Gallo-Belgic series of staters were primarily utilized within Britain.
Answer: False
Explanation: This is incorrect; the Gallo-Belgic series of staters were predominantly imported into Britain, where they exerted a considerable influence on the subsequent development of British stater coinage.
British Gold staters typically exhibited a weight range between 4.5 and 6.5 grams.
Answer: True
Explanation: The available numismatic data confirms that British Gold staters generally fell within the weight parameters of 4.5 to 6.5 grams.
Celtic staters were minted in regions that are now part of Spain and Portugal.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary areas for Celtic stater minting mentioned in the source material are not Spain and Portugal, but rather regions such as the Czech Republic and Poland.
Alexander the Great's conquests resulted in a decline of stater usage in Asia.
Answer: False
Explanation: Conversely, Alexander the Great's eastward expansion facilitated the spread of Hellenistic culture, leading to the adoption and increased usage of staters in various parts of Asia.
A gold coin discovered in Slovenia in 2018 was identified as a Celtic imitation of an Alexander the Great stater.
Answer: True
Explanation: Archaeological findings in Slovenia in 2018 included a gold coin recognized as a Celtic imitation of an Alexander the Great stater, dating to the early 3rd century BC.
Koson staters were silver coins minted by the Dacians in the 1st century BC.
Answer: False
Explanation: Koson staters were, in fact, gold coins minted by the Dacians during the 1st century BC, not silver.
The inscription 'KOΣΩN' found on Koson staters signifies a connection to Greek language and culture.
Answer: True
Explanation: The presence of the Greek inscription 'KOΣΩN' on the Dacian Koson staters clearly indicates a cultural and linguistic link to the Hellenistic world.
The Channel Islands Armorican Billon Silver Stater depicts a horse on its reverse.
Answer: True
Explanation: The description of the Channel Islands Armorican Billon Silver Stater confirms the presence of a stylized horse on its reverse.
Billon alloy is characterized by a high proportion of silver mixed with copper.
Answer: False
Explanation: This statement is incorrect. Billon alloy is defined by a high proportion of copper mixed with a lesser amount of silver, indicating a debased silver composition.
The presence of Roman-inspired iconography on Koson staters suggests Dacian isolation from the Roman world.
Answer: False
Explanation: On the contrary, the Roman-inspired iconography on Koson staters indicates substantial cultural and political interaction between the Dacians and the Roman world, rather than isolation.
The term 'stater' is applied exclusively to coins minted in Greece and Macedonia.
Answer: False
Explanation: The application of the term 'stater' extends beyond Greece and Macedonia to include similar coins minted in various parts of ancient Europe, particularly those imitating Greek designs.
The gold coin discovered in Slovenia in 2018 was minted during the 3rd century BC.
Answer: True
Explanation: The gold coin unearthed in Slovenia in 2018, identified as a Celtic imitation of an Alexander the Great stater, dates to the first half of the 3rd century BC.
The concept of the stater was disseminated to Western and Central Europe through the activities of Celtic mercenaries.
Answer: True
Explanation: The transmission of the stater concept into Western and Central Europe is attributed to Celtic mercenaries who encountered it during their service in Greece.
The stater was primarily utilized within ancient Rome and its associated provinces.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary sphere of stater usage was not ancient Rome and its provinces, but rather ancient Greece and subsequently adopted by various cultures across Europe and Asia.
How did the concept of the stater disseminate into Western and Central Europe?
Answer: By Celtic tribes serving as mercenaries in Greece
Explanation: The concept of the stater spread to Western and Central Europe primarily through Celtic tribes who had served as mercenaries in Greece.
What specific Macedonian coinage served as the inspiration for gold staters minted by Gallic chiefs?
Answer: The 'philippeioi' coins of Philip II
Explanation: Gallic chiefs modeled their gold staters after the 'philippeioi' coins, which were issued by Philip II of Macedonia.
What was the significance of the Gallo-Belgic series of staters concerning Britain?
Answer: They were imported into Britain and influenced later British stater production.
Explanation: The Gallo-Belgic series of staters held significance as they were imported into Britain on a large scale, subsequently influencing the production of later British staters.
What is the typical weight range for British Gold staters?
Answer: 4.5 - 6.5 grams
Explanation: British Gold staters generally weighed between 4.5 and 6.5 grams.
In which modern-day countries, besides Gaul (modern France), were Celtic staters also minted?
Answer: Czech Republic and Poland
Explanation: Celtic staters were also minted in regions that now constitute the Czech Republic and Poland.
How did the conquests of Alexander the Great influence the utilization of staters in Asia?
Answer: They facilitated the adoption of staters in various parts of Asia.
Explanation: Alexander the Great's conquests facilitated the eastward spread of Hellenistic culture, which in turn led to the adoption of staters in various regions of Asia.
What significant discovery concerning a stater was made in Slovenia in 2018?
Answer: A gold coin imitating an Alexander the Great stater
Explanation: In 2018, a significant discovery in Slovenia included a gold coin identified as a Celtic imitation of an Alexander the Great stater.
What characterized Koson staters?
Answer: Gold coins minted by the Dacians featuring Greek inscriptions
Explanation: Koson staters were gold coins minted by the Dacians in the 1st century BC, notably featuring Greek inscriptions.
What does the presence of Roman-inspired iconography on Koson staters suggest regarding Dacian interactions?
Answer: Significant cultural and political interaction with Rome
Explanation: The Roman-inspired iconography on Koson staters suggests substantial cultural and political interaction between the Dacians and the Roman world.
What does the term 'billon alloy' indicate regarding the Channel Islands Armorican stater?
Answer: It was a debased silver coin (more copper than silver).
Explanation: The term 'billon alloy' indicates that the Channel Islands Armorican stater was a debased silver coin, primarily composed of copper with a lesser amount of silver.
Scholar Robin Lane Fox posited that the weight standard of the Euboean stater was influenced by the Phoenician shekel.
Answer: True
Explanation: Robin Lane Fox's scholarship suggests a potential influence of the Phoenician shekel on the weight standard of the Euboean stater, noting similarities in their respective weight systems.
A Corinthian silver stater was typically equivalent to two Athenian silver drachmae.
Answer: False
Explanation: While a Corinthian silver stater (approx. 8.6g) was indeed often linked to the Athenian silver didrachm (also approx. 8.6g), and a didrachm represents two drachmae, the statement implies a direct equivalence that is not universally precise across all contexts or periods. The primary equivalence was with the Athenian didrachm.
An Athenian silver tetradrachm, comprising four drachmae, weighed approximately 17.2 grams.
Answer: True
Explanation: Indeed, the Athenian silver tetradrachm, a coin representing four drachmae, is documented to have weighed approximately 17.2 grams.
A Phoenician shekel typically weighed approximately 7.0 grams and represented one-fiftieth of a mina.
Answer: True
Explanation: Historical metrology confirms that the Phoenician shekel generally weighed around 7.0 grams and was conventionally valued at one-fiftieth of a mina.
The extensive use of the stater across diverse cultures indicates limited ancient trade networks.
Answer: False
Explanation: Conversely, the widespread adoption and imitation of the stater by various cultures signifies robust and extensive ancient trade networks and significant cultural exchange.
The Athenian didrachm, weighing approximately 8.6 grams, was equivalent to two drachmae.
Answer: True
Explanation: As indicated by its name ('di-' meaning two), the Athenian didrachm, weighing around 8.6 grams, was indeed equivalent to two drachmae.
According to Robin Lane Fox, which ancient currency's weight standard may have influenced the Euboean stater?
Answer: The Phoenician shekel
Explanation: Scholar Robin Lane Fox suggests that the Phoenician shekel likely influenced the weight standard of the Euboean stater.
How did the Corinthian silver stater (approx. 8.6g) typically relate in weight to the Athenian silver didrachm?
Answer: They were often linked as having the same weight.
Explanation: The Corinthian silver stater and the Athenian silver didrachm were often linked, sharing a similar weight of approximately 8.6 grams.
What was the approximate weight of an Athenian silver tetradrachm?
Answer: 17.2 grams
Explanation: An Athenian silver tetradrachm typically weighed approximately 17.2 grams.
Which statement best encapsulates the historical significance of the stater coin's widespread use?
Answer: It reflects extensive trade and cultural interactions in the ancient world.
Explanation: The widespread use of the stater across diverse cultures signifies extensive ancient trade networks and profound cultural interactions.