The Swastika, the Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migration: With Observations on the Migration of Certain Industries in Prehistoric TimesWilson, Thomas
Religion
The Swastika, the Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migration: With Observations on the Migration of Certain Industries in Prehistoric Times
Wilson, Thomas
Industries, Primitive; Swastikas; Symbolism
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.
[Illustration: PLATE 9. PUNCH MARKS ON REVERSE OF ANCIENT COINS.]
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.
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