A search for the mines and types of ore which produced the silver used by some archaic Greek mints attempts to discover the techniques used to produce pure silver for archaic coinage. Chemical and lead isotope analyses were made of about 110 damaged silver coins, chiefly from the Asyut Hoard, and also of argentiferous ores from possible source regions for the ancient Greeks. A short account is given of the recent discovery and proof of ancient lead/silver mining on Siphnos. The chemical and lead isotopic character of argentiferous ores, of litharge and of lead metal from Laurion and Siphnos are discussed, and a partial account is given of the variety of argentiferous ores exploited in ancient times. Particular emphasis was given to Athenian and Aeginetan coinage. Athenian Wappenmunzen prove to derive their silver from a variety of sources; all Athenian owl tetradrachmas analyzed have silver from Laurion. Aeginetan coinage silver originates from at least three sources: Siphnos, Lauron and a third source which may be in Macedonia, Lydia or even Euboea. The sources of silver for Corinth, the Orrescii, Thasos, Samos, Acanthus, Mallus, Zankle, Lesbos, Lycia and some Sigloi are also briefly discussed. -- AATA