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Orbis Collectibles

Skepsis, bronze coin — Horseman galopping right (CN type 18956)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. AD 169–235

Issuing entity

Troas

Coin in bronze struck at Skepsis in Troas, dated c. AD 169–235. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 18956 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Draped bearded bust of Dionysus, right, wearing ivy wreath and kalathos; holding kantharos in his right hand. Legend: ϹΚΗΨΙΩΝ. Reverse: Horseman galopping right, brandishing spear. Legend: ϹΚΗΨΙΩΝ ΔΑΡΔ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 2.75 g (mean of 5 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 19.4–20 mm (from 5 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Heuchert, RPC IV: Roman Provincial Coinage. Vol. IV: From Antoninus Pius to Commodus (AD 138–192). online (temporary), http://rpc.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/coins/, nr. 2599; Schwabacher, Sylloge nummorum Graecorum: the Royal Collection of Coins and Medals, Copenhagen 1942, nr. 489, pl. 11, pic. 489; Bloesch, Griechische Münzen in Winterthur, Winterthur 1987, p. 50-51, nr. 2784, pl. 124, pic. 2784; Baldus, Sylloge nummorum Graecorum. Deutschland. Staatliche Münzsammlung München. 19.Heft. Troas - Lesbos. Nr. 1-813 19, München 1991, nr. 331; Linked type corpus.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
6
Photograph views
2
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

Skepsis, also known as Scepsis, was an ancient settlement in the Troad, Asia Minor, located at the modern site of the village of Kurşunlutepe near Bayramiç in Turkey. Renowned as the home of Metrodorus and Demetrius of Scepsis, it famously housed the library of Aristotle before its relocation to Pergamum and Alexandria. This civic bronze issue was struck by the city during the Roman Imperial Period, dated c. AD 169–235.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
19.4–20 mm (from 5 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
2.75 g (mean of 5 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Skepsis
Region
Troas
Authority type
City

Design

Obverse type
Draped bearded bust of Dionysus, right, wearing ivy wreath and kalathos; holding kantharos in his right hand.
Reverse type
Horseman galopping right, brandishing spear.
Obverse legend
ϹΚΗΨΙΩΝ
Reverse legend
ϹΚΗΨΙΩΝ ΔΑΡΔ

Identification

Period
Roman Imperial 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/18956
Type corpus identifier
CN type 18956

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 19694

    Same mint, denomination and design (obverse legend ϹΚΗΨΙΩΝ; reverse legend ϹΚΗΨΙΩΝ); dated AD 169–235. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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