The Swastika, the Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migration / With Observations on the Migration of Certain Industries in Prehistoric Times

by Thomas Wilson

Fig. 229.
CORINTHIAN COINS.
Obverse and reverse. Punch mark resembling Swastika.

It is believed by the author that the assertions as to the presence of the Swastika on these ancient coins is based upon an erroneous interpretation of these punch marks. [Fig. 229] shows the obverse and reverse of a coin from Corinth. It belonged to the first half of the sixth century B. C. The obverse represents a Pegasus standing, while the reverse is a punch mark, said to have been a Swastika; but, examining closely, we will find there is no Swastika in this punch mark. The arms of the normal Swastika consist of straight lines crossing each other. In this case they do not cross. The design consists of four gammas, and each gamma is separated from its fellows, all forming together very nearly the same design as hundreds of other punch marks of the same period. If each outer arm of this mark is made slightly longer, the Swastika form disappears and the entire design resolves itself into the square habitually employed for that purpose. If the punch mark on this Corinthian coin be a Swastika, it depends upon the failure to make the extreme end of the bent arm an eighth of an inch longer. This is too fine a point to be relied upon. If this punch mark had these arms lengthened an eighth of an inch, it would confessedly become a square.

EXPLANATION OF PLATE 9.

1	2	3
4	5	6
7	8	9
10	11	12

Punch Marks on Reverse of Ancient Coins.

Fig.	1.	Coin of Lydia. Electrum. Oblong sinking between two squares. Babylonian stater. The earliest known coinage. Circa 700 B. C.
	2.	Phenician Half Stater. Electrum. Incuse square with cruciform ornament.
	3.	Silver Coin of Teos. Incuse square. Circa 544 B. C.
	4.	Silver Coin of Acanthus. Incuse square.
	5.	Silver Coin of Mende. Incuse triangles.
	6.	Silver Coin of Terone. Incuse square.
	7.	Coin of Bisaltæ.[236] Incuse square. Octadrachm.
	8.	Silver Coin of Orrescii.[236] Incuse square. Octadrachm.
	9.	Corinthian Silver Coin. Incuse square divided into eight triangular compartments. The earliest coin of Corinth, dating B. C. 625 to 585.
	10.	Silver Coin of Abdera. Incuse square.
	11.	Silver Coin of Byzantium. Incuse square, granulated.
	12.	Silver Coin of Thrasos (Thrace). Incuse square.

Plate 9.

Punch Marks on Reverse of Ancient Coins.