GREEK ISLANDS OFF ATTICA, AEGINA -
Silver Stater (12.26 gm.) Struck 459-431 B.C.Reference: Delepierre 1774 ; BMC pl. 24.11.Sea turtle.The island-state of Aigina, situated midway between Attica and the coastline of Argolis, was probably the first pace in European Greece to issue coinage. From Aigina the practice quickly spread to Athens and Corinth, Euboia, and other important centers. The Aiginetic weight standard, based on a didrachm-stater of about 12.6 grams, was widely adopted in Crete and Asia Minor as well as Greece. Although sill a place of some importance in the 5th and 4th centuries, Aigina was eclipsed by Athens after the Persian Wars, and never regained her former position as one of the greatest trading states of the Greek World. The city was captured by the Athenians in 456 B.C., and a quarter of a century later the inhabitants were expelled from the island. In 404 B.C., after the fall of Athens, the exiles were restored to their homes.