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Orbis Collectibles

Apollonia Pontike, tetrobol (hemisiglos) — Inverted anchor (CN type 12925)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

4th century BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Tetrobol (hemisiglos) in silver struck at Apollonia Pontike in Thrace, dated 4th century BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 12925 (period: Classical/Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Gorgoneion, tongue protruding, serpents forming curls framing head. Reverse: Inverted anchor;  under right fluke, crayfish, under left fluke, ethnicon. Legend: Α. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 2.78 g (mean of 47 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 12–16 mm (from 31 recorded specimens). The corpus assigns the type to the Attic weight standard. Recorded findspots: Varna (Варна), Varna Region, Obročišče (Оброчище), Ruen (Руен), Medovec (Медовец), Obzor (Обзор), Văglen (Въглен), Batova Fluss.

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. 456-458.

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

In antiquity, Apollonia was a prosperous Greek colony that had originally been named Antheia. Located on the southern Black Sea coast, the city was situated in Thrace. During the Classical and Hellenistic periods, many Greek city-states struck their own local currencies, with the drachma and its denominations originating in Greece around the 6th century BC.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
tetrobol (hemisiglos)
Recorded diameter
12–16 mm (from 31 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
2.78 g (mean of 47 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Apollonia Pontike
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Weight standard
Attic

Design

Obverse type
Gorgoneion, tongue protruding, serpents forming curls framing head.
Reverse type
Inverted anchor;  under right fluke, crayfish, under left fluke, ethnicon.
Reverse legend
Α

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.
Recorded findspots
Varna (Варна), Varna Region, Obročišče (Оброчище), Ruen (Руен), Medovec (Медовец), Obzor (Обзор), Văglen (Въглен), Batova Fluss
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/12925
Type corpus identifier
CN type 12925

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Recorded
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

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