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Orbis Collectibles

Abydos, Maximinus Thrax, bronze coin — Hero and Leander (CN type 19008)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 235–238

Issuing entity

Troas

Coin in bronze struck at Abydos in Troas under Maximinus Thrax, dated AD 235–238. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 19008 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Maximinus Thrax, right, wearing paludamentum. Legend: ΑV Γ ΙΟV ΟVΗ ΜΑΞΙΜЄΝΟϹ (sic). Reverse: Hero and Leander; to left, nude Leander swimming right; behind, helmet, cloak, sword and shield, below, fish; above, Eros, holding torch; to right, Hero standing on top of tower, holding lamp. Legend: ΑΒVΔΗΝΩ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 21.09 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 35 mm (from 1 recorded specimen).

Published references cited by the corpus: Linked type corpus.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
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

Abydos was an ancient city on the Asian shore of the Hellespont, located at the narrowest point of the straits opposite Sestos. In Greek myth, it was renowned as the home of Leander, who swam across the waters to visit Hero. This bronze civic issue was struck between AD 235 and 238 under Maximinus Thrax, a Thracian soldier acclaimed emperor by the army in 235 following the murder of Severus Alexander.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
35 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
21.09 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Abydos
Region
Troas
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Maximinus Thrax

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of Maximinus Thrax, right, wearing paludamentum.
Reverse type
Hero and Leander; to left, nude Leander swimming right; behind, helmet, cloak, sword and shield, below, fish; above, Eros, holding torch; to right, Hero standing on top of tower, holding lamp.
Obverse legend
ΑV Γ ΙΟV ΟVΗ ΜΑΞΙΜЄΝΟϹ (sic)
Reverse legend
ΑΒVΔΗΝΩ

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.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/19008
Type corpus identifier
CN type 19008

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

  • external concordance

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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