Coin of King Ballaios — Artemis with a torch
Novac kralja Balajosa — Artemida sa bakljom
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loads {mb} MBCoins and equipment of the Illyrian age from other collections — of the kind used in the Ulcinj area (7th–2nd c. BC).
Description
A bronze coin of the Illyrian king Ballaios from the mint of Rhizon, today’s Risan. The obverse shows a male head to the left — the king’s portrait. On the reverse Artemis strides with a long torch, with the legend ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΒΑΛΛΑΙΟΥ — “of King Ballaios”.
Ballaios is not mentioned in any ancient written source; everything we know about him comes from his coins. The dating is openly disputed: by the style of the coins c. 195–175 BC, by hoards excavated in Risan c. 260–230 BC, which would make him a contemporary or predecessor of Agron and Teuta. Artemis with a torch stays on Rhizon’s coins after the king — she is the image of the Bay of Risan, the goddess also honoured by the Ulcinj altar of Artemis in this collection.
The 3D model was made after photographs of a specimen of this type: obverse and reverse were modelled separately, in full relief, and joined into a two-sided coin at true size (diameter from the catalogue, thickness derived from the weight). The model is a faithful three-dimensional rendering of the type, not a measured survey of the specimen; the relief height is emphasised for legibility. For 3D printing, obverse and reverse were prepared as separate models.
Obverse and reverse
Both faces from the 3D model, in the colour of the coin and with the patina of a coin as found. A visualisation, not a photograph.
Replicas — visualisation
Computer renderings of replicas made from the 3D model, not photographs. Sizes and materials are proposals for 3D printing.
Literature and sources
- Britanski muzej, primjerak 1889,1106.34 — https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/C_1889-1106-34
- T. Kowal, istraživanja u Risnu 2009–2010, str. 200 — https://archeo.uw.edu.pl/zalaczniki/upload1194.pdf
- T. Kowal, istraživanja 2011, Światowit IX (L) A, str. 201 — https://archeologia.uw.edu.pl/swarch/Swiatowit_IX(L)A2011_s201-207.pdf
- P. Domines Peter, studija o grčko-ilirskom novcu (2024), str. 157 — https://www.iarh.hr/media/publikacije/ZIA21web.pdf
- D. Ujes-Morgan, „Autonomous Coinage of Rhizon in Illyria“.
- J. Wilkes, The Illyrians, Oxford 1992.
