This study examines Greek coins and gems of the Archaic and Classical periods. For the first time, both categories are joined in a comprehensive analysis. The survey starts with the invention of coinage in the Mediterranean and ends with the heyday of both genres in Greek Classical times. Gems and coins, which belong to the so called artes minores, are compared based on certain criteria: design, technique, composition and the artists’ signatures. Special emphasis is put on the latter; all signed works of the examined period are listed and accompanied by a figure. Beginning with a definition of the relationship between coins and gems, both genres are then embedded in the general context of Greek Archaic and Classical art. |