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Myrina, bronze coin — Owl standing facing (CN type 12890)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 386–276/261 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Coin in bronze struck at Myrina in Thrace, dated c. 386–276/261 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12890 (period: Classical/Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Head of Athena, right, wearing Corinthian helmet. Reverse: Owl standing facing. Legend: ΜΥΡΙ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 2.51 g (mean of 9 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 13–16 mm (from 7 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. 342, pl. 34; 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. 988; Kroll and Walker, The Athenian Agora: 26. Results of excavations conducted by the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. 26. The Greek coins, Princeton, N. J 1993, p. 179, nr. 455; Hoover and Ashton, Handbook of Coins of the Islands: Adriatic, Ionian, Thracian, Aegean and Carpathian Seas (Excluding Crete and Cyprus): Sixth to First Centuries BC, Lancaster 2010, p. 68, nr. 299; Penna, The Mintage of Lemnos, 1994, p. 40.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
9
Photograph views
4
Catalogue references
5

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

Historical context

This coin was issued by the city of Myrina in Thrace during the Classical or Hellenistic period, dated circa 386–276/261 BC. The obverse and reverse designs feature the ancient Greek goddess Athena and an owl. In Greek tradition, Athena was regarded as a goddess of wisdom, handicraft, and warfare, who served as the patron and protectress of cities. She was commonly depicted in art wearing a helmet, and her major symbols included owls.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
13–16 mm (from 7 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
2.51 g (mean of 9 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Myrina
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City

Design

Obverse type
Head of Athena, right, wearing Corinthian helmet.
Reverse type
Owl standing facing.
Reverse legend
ΜΥΡΙ

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. 3 closely related CN types with the same mint, denomination and design are consolidated into this entry and listed under varieties.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/12890
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12890

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 19860

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΜΥΡΙ); dated c. 386–276/261 BC. Consolidated into this entry

  • CN type 19866

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΜΥΡΙ); dated c. 386–276/261 BC. Consolidated into this entry

  • CN type 19867

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΜΥΡΙ); dated c. 386–276/261 BC. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

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