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Orbis Collectibles

Plakia, bronze coin — Lion head (CN type 12788)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 350–300 BC

Issuing entity

Mysia

Coin in bronze struck at Plakia in Mysia, dated c. 350–300 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12788 (period: Classical/Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Turreted head of Cybele, right. Reverse: Lion head, right. Legend: ΠΛΑΚΙ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 1.2 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Schwabacher, Sylloge nummorum Graecorum: the Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, Copenhagen 1942, nr. 544; Tekin and Özdizbay, Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum. 9, Volume 3: Turkey. The Özkan Arıkantürk collection. Mysia, İstanbul 2020, nr. 1088.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
2

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

Historical context

Dating to c. 350–300 BC during the Classical or Hellenistic Period, this bronze coin was struck by the city of Plakia in ancient Mysia. Known variously as Placia, Plaka, or Plake, the town stood on the coast of the Propontis, positioned east of Cyzicus at the foot of the Mysian Olympus. It was settled by Pelasgians, who according to Herodotus maintained their ancient language there into his time, and the settlement features in the Periplus of Pseudo-Scylax as well as accounts by Dionysius of Halicarnassus and Pliny the Elder.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded mean weight
1.2 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Plakia
Region
Mysia
Authority type
City

Design

Obverse type
Turreted head of Cybele, right.
Reverse type
Lion head, right.
Reverse legend
ΠΛΑΚΙ

Identification

Period
Classical/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. 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/12788
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12788

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 21433

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΠΛΑΚΙ); dated c. 350–300 BC. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

  • Diameter not recorded in the source corpus
  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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