Maia Pataridze
Researcher at Simon Janashia Institute of Georgia
Abstract
Numismatic finds in Svaneti contribute greately to the study of numismatic data of Antiquity in general. It suffices to say that the majority of coins minted in the name of Alexander and Lisymachus - both originals and imitations – are unearthed in this very region. The present paper deals with a few coins, discovered by the expedition* and unknown yet to the scholars. The study of archaeological complexes on the territory of Svaneti, particularly those of Larilari and Brili (the present day Racha) and simultaneous analysis of the numismatic finds give us opportunity to establish extent and continuity of the engagement of local population in trading with the Colchian plain and the outer world throughout the 5th c. B.C. - 3rd c. A.D. Besides, the study of coins preserved in Svaneti, reveales their confessional and ethnological character as temple treasure.
