Skip to content
Orbis Collectibles

Kypsela, bronze coin — Cotyle (CN type 12855)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 400 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Coin in bronze struck at Kypsela in Thrace, dated c. 400 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12855 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Head of Hermes, right, wearing petasus. Reverse: Cotyle; below, barley grain. Legend: Κ-Υ/Ψ-Ε. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 2.15 g (mean of 6 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 11–13.1 mm (from 5 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: o. A., Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum. Greece 7. The KIKPE Collection of Bronze Coins, Volume I, 2012, nr. 315, pl. 31; Schwabacher, Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum. Copenhagen. The Royal Collection of Coins and Medals. Danish National Museum. Part 7: Thrace 2: Odessus - Sestos. Islands. Kings and Dynasts 7, Copenhagen 1943, nr. 532 var.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
1
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

Kypsela, situated at modern İpsala in northwestern Turkey, was an ancient Greek settlement in the historical region of Thrace. In classical antiquity, Thrace was bounded by the Balkan Mountains to the north, the Aegean Sea to the south, and the Black Sea to the east. This bronze coin reflects the local civic minting of Kypsela around 400 BC within this broader Southeast European territory.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
11–13.1 mm (from 5 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
2.15 g (mean of 6 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Kypsela
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City

Design

Obverse type
Head of Hermes, right, wearing petasus.
Reverse type
Cotyle; below, barley grain.
Reverse legend
Κ-Υ/Ψ-Ε

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/12855
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12855

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

Research required

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