Skip to content
Orbis Collectibles

Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm — Athena seated left (CN type 12247)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 297/296–282/281 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Tetradrachm in silver struck at Sestos in Thrace under Lysimachos, dated c. 297/296–282/281 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12247 (period: Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: ruler).

Obverse: Diademed head of deified Alexander the Great with horn of Ammon, right. Reverse: Athena (Nikephoros) seated left, holding Nike and spear; shield behind. Legend: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 17.11 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 27.5 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). The corpus assigns the type to the Attic weight standard. Published references cited by the corpus: Thompson, The mints of Lysimachus, 1968, p. 170, nr. 25.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
3
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
1

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

Historical context

Lysimachos was an officer and successor of Alexander the Great who served as strategos before declaring himself king of Thrace in 306 BC, later adding western Asia Minor and Macedon to his realm. As monarch, he produced extensive royal coinages, frequently utilizing the large silver tetradrachm on the Attic standard to meet state and military needs. This issue was minted between c. 297/296 and 282/281 BC at Sestos, an ancient Thracian city on the Hellespont.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
tetradrachm
Recorded diameter
27.5 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
17.11 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Sestos
Region
Thrace
Authority type
Ruler
Weight standard
Attic
Issuing authority
Lysimachos

Design

Obverse type
Diademed head of deified Alexander the Great with horn of Ammon, right.
Reverse type
Athena (Nikephoros) seated left, holding Nike and spear; shield behind.
Reverse legend
ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ

Identification

Period
Hellenistic 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/12247
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12247

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

Varieties

  • Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm (CN type 11903)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm (CN type 12239)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm (CN type 12240)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm (CN type 12241)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm (CN type 12246)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm (CN type 12248)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm (CN type 12249)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm (CN type 12250)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm (CN type 12251)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm (CN type 12252)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm (CN type 12757)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

  • Sestos, Lysimachos, tetradrachm (CN type 12758)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
Can you source one of these? Submit a reference