Did ancient Greeks use dolphin money?

A recent discovery has upended that assumption courtesy of ancient Greek coins from the former Greek city-state Olbia from around 500 BC. Olbia used money which was in the shape of a leaping dolphin, like the one shown in the picture alongside! They were the size of 3 cm. Ancient Greek Olbian Dolphin Money

Why are dolphins called 'Delphinus'?

The reasons why they issued such unique shaped dolphin money is attributed to the large population of dolphins near the Black Sea and the Olbians saw them daily in the sea and trained them for their amusement. Another reason could be the religious significance, as Greeks considered Dolphins as a sacred fish ‘Delphinus’.

Is a dolphin a mammal?

A dolphin is an aquatic mammal within the infraorder Cetacea. Dolphin species belong to the families Delphinidae (the oceanic dolphins), Platanistidae (the Indian river dolphins ), Iniidae (the New World river dolphins), Pontoporiidae (the brackish dolphins), and possibly extinct Lipotidae (baiji or Chinese river dolphin).

What is a dolphin in Hindu mythology?

In Hindu mythology the Ganges river dolphin is associated with Ganga, the deity of the Ganges river. The dolphin is said to be among the creatures which heralded the goddess' descent from the heavens and her mount, the Makara, is sometimes depicted as a dolphin.