A GREEK SILVER FRACTION WITH A LION
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
CIRCA 5TH-4TH CENTURY B.C.
Thrace, Chersonesos, Hemidrachm Of small module and irregular flan, the obverse struck in high relief with a stylised male head in profile to the right, the hair rendered as thick parallel locks sweeping back from the brow and bound by a laurel wreath whose leaves are indicated by raised oblique strokes along the crown.
The features are summarily modelled, the eye reduced to a raised pellet, the nose and lips abbreviated into a compact mass at the centre of the field. The flan is slightly cupped, the edge uneven from striking, and the surface retains a soft silver tone with traces of warm earthen deposit in the recesses. The present coin stands within that transformation, retaining the laurel wreath and the general disposition of the Macedonian prototype while treating the physiognomy as pattern rather than portrait.
The laurel wreath remains legible, the profile remains readable, but the handling belongs to a different visual culture, one that preferred rhythm and relief over naturalistic likeness.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material (listing wording)
- silver
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- Diameter 1.2 cm; weight 3 g
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable. Attribution and measurements are the auction house’s statements about the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Listing object ID
- 206725928
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Recorded
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Independent confirmation of type attribution and auction-house statements remains research required.