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Orbis Collectibles

Philippopolis, unit — Cock standing left (CN type 12186)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 138–161

Issuing entity

Thrace

Unit in bronze struck at Philippopolis in Thrace, dated AD 138–161. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12186 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city (pseudo-autonomous)).

Obverse: Draped bust of Hermes, right; behind, caduceus. Reverse: Cock standing left, head right. Legend: ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΠΟΛΙ(ΤΩΝ). Measured specimens give a mean weight of 1.81 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 14–15 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). Published references cited by the corpus: Varbanov, The Coinage of Philippopolis. Vol. II Catalogue 2, Bourgas 2019, p. 9, nr. I.1.7; Peter, Die Münzen ohne kaiserliches Porträt von Philippopolis Thraciae, p. 931, nr. 13; Varbanov, The Coinage of Philippopolis. Vol. II Catalogue 2, Bourgas 2019, p. 11, nr. I.4.4.; Peter, Die Münzen ohne kaiserliches Porträt von Philippopolis Thraciae, p. 931, nr. 4.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
4

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Philippopolis, located in the historic region of Thrace, was originally founded as a polis by Philip, the father of Alexander the Great. Having alternated between Macedonian and Thracian control during the Hellenistic period, the city eventually came under Roman rule. Struck between AD 138 and 161 during the Roman Imperial Period, this pseudo-autonomous bronze unit represents civic coinage issued under local municipal authority.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
unit
Recorded diameter
14–15 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
1.81 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Philippopolis
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City (pseudo-autonomous)

Design

Obverse type
Draped bust of Hermes, right; behind, caduceus.
Reverse type
Cock standing left, head right.
Reverse legend
ΦΙΛΙΠΠΟΠΟΛΙ(ΤΩΝ)

Identification

Period
Roman Imperial Period
How to identify
Check the mint name or ethnic, the reverse type and the legend together, then compare weight and module; types from the same mint often differ only in legend arrangement, magistrate names or control marks.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/12186
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12186

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Recorded
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Recorded
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
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

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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