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Orbis Collectibles

Plakia, bronze coin — Lion standing right (CN type 12783)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

400–300 BC

Issuing entity

Mysia

Coin in bronze struck at Plakia in Mysia, dated 400–300 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12783 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Turreted head of Cybele, right. Reverse: Lion standing right, devouring its prey; beneath a grain ear. Legend: ΠΛΑΚΙΑ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 1.49 g (mean of 25 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 10–13.1 mm (from 15 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Schwabacher, Sylloge nummorum Graecorum: the Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, Copenhagen 1942, nr. 545; Tekin and Özdizbay, Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum. 9, Volume 3: Turkey. The Özkan Arıkantürk collection. Mysia, İstanbul 2020, nr. 1079-1087; Levante, Sylloge nummorum Graecorum. France. 5, Département des monnaies, médailles et antiques. Mysie 5, Paris/Zürich 2001, nr. 2378-2382.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
5
Photograph views
2
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

Struck during the Classical Period between 400 and 300 BC, this bronze coin was issued by the city of Plakia in Mysia. Also known as Placia, Placie, or Plake, the settlement was a Pelasgian town located on the coast of the Propontis at the foot of the Mysian Olympus, east of Cyzicus. According to Herodotus, the inhabitants had preserved their ancient language there down to his time, and the town is noted by authors including Pomponius Mela, Dionysius of Halicarnassus, and Pliny the Elder.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
10–13.1 mm (from 15 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
1.49 g (mean of 25 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Plakia
Region
Mysia
Authority type
City

Design

Obverse type
Turreted head of Cybele, right.
Reverse type
Lion standing right, devouring its prey; beneath a grain ear.
Reverse legend
ΠΛΑΚΙΑ

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. 1 closely related CN type with the same mint, denomination and design is consolidated into this entry and listed under varieties.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/12783
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12783

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
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

  • CN type 12784

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΠΛΑΚΙΑ); dated 400–300 BC. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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