Skip to content
Orbis Collectibles

Byzantion, Hemisiglos — Incuse square of mill-sail pattern (CN type 12409)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 411–387/386 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Hemisiglos in silver struck at Byzantion in Thrace, dated c. 411–387/386 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12409 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Bull standing right on dolphin, right, raising right forehoof. Legend: ΒΥ. Reverse: Incuse square of mill-sail pattern, roughened or dotted ground. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 2.25 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 13 mm (from 2 recorded specimens). The corpus assigns the type to the Persian weight standard. Published references cited by the corpus: Schönert-Geiß, Die Münzprägung von Byzantion. Autonome Zeit, Berlin 1970, p. 112, nr. 590, pl. 24, pic. 590; Lederer, Neue Beiträge zur antiken Münzkunde 30, 1943, p. 25, nr. 13, pl. 1; Hoover, Handbook of coins of Macedon and its neighbors. Part II: Thrace, Skythia, and Taurike: sixth to first centuries BC, Lancaster, Pa. London 2017, p. 80, nr. 1390.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
5
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
3

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

Historical context

Byzantion was an ancient Greek city colonised by Greeks from Megara in the 7th century BC. Operating on the Persian weight standard, this silver hemisiglos relates to the broader monetary traditions of the region, where the siglos had served alongside the daric in the bimetallic currency of the Achaemenid Empire. The coin was struck at Byzantion in Thrace during the Classical Period, dated c. 411–387/386 BC.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
Hemisiglos
Recorded diameter
13 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
2.25 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Byzantion
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Weight standard
Persian

Design

Obverse type
Bull standing right on dolphin, right, raising right forehoof.
Reverse type
Incuse square of mill-sail pattern, roughened or dotted ground.
Obverse legend
ΒΥ

Identification

Period
Classical 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/12409
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12409

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
Can you source one of these? Submit a reference