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Orbis Collectibles

Uncertain mint, Lysimachos, bronze coin — Lion leaping right (CN type 12885)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 306–281 BC

Issuing entity

Kingdom of Thrace

Coin in bronze under Lysimachos, dated c. 306–281 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12885 (period: Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: ruler).

Obverse: Head of Athena, right, wearing Attic helmet. Reverse: Lion leaping right; below, spear-head. Legend: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΛΥΣΙΜΑΧΟΥ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 4.83 g (mean of 151 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 18–22 mm (from 138 recorded specimens). Recorded findspots: Kermeyan, Tekirdağ Province, Burgas Region. Published references cited by the corpus: 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. 1149-1151.

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

Lysimachus (Lysimachos) was a bodyguard of Alexander the Great and served as a Thessalian officer on his Persian and Indian campaigns. Appointed strategos of Thrace after Alexander's death in 323 BC, he became king of Thrace in 306 BC. Lysimachus subsequently acquired lands across western and northern Asia Minor following the Battle of Ipsus in 301 BC and later gained control of Macedon in 288 BC. He ruled these combined territories until he was defeated and killed at the Battle of Corupedium in 281 BC.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
18–22 mm (from 138 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
4.83 g (mean of 151 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Authority type
Ruler
Issuing authority
Lysimachos

Design

Obverse type
Head of Athena, right, wearing Attic helmet.
Reverse type
Lion leaping right; below, spear-head.
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.
Recorded findspots
Kermeyan, Tekirdağ Province, Burgas Region
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/12885
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12885

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Recorded
Mint or printer
Research required
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

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