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Orbis Collectibles

Samothrake, tetradrachm — Cybele enthroned left (CN type 19482)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 168–150 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Tetradrachm in silver struck at Samothrake in Thrace, dated c. 168–150 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 19482 (period: Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Head of Athena, left, wearing Corinthian helmet. Reverse: Cybele enthroned left, wearing a polos, holding patera in outstretched right hand and pelleted sceptre in left arm. Legend: ΣΑΜΟ ΜΗΤΙΑΝΑ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 16.94 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 30 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). The corpus assigns the type to the reduced Attic weight standard. Published references cited by the corpus: 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. 73, nr. 314; Schönert-Geiß, Zur Münzprägung von Samothrake: Ein Überblick, 1996, p. 273,276, pl. 1, pic. 6.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
2

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

Historical context

This silver coin was produced at the island city of Samothrake in Thrace during the Hellenistic Period, dated to c. 168–150 BC. Originating in Ancient Greece in the late 6th century BC, the tetradrachm became the standard trade coin of Classical Antiquity and was widely minted by diverse polities to fund state expenses such as military pay. Samothrace is an island in the northern Aegean Sea.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
tetradrachm
Recorded diameter
30 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
16.94 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Samothrake
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Weight standard
reduced Attic

Design

Obverse type
Head of Athena, left, wearing Corinthian helmet.
Reverse type
Cybele enthroned left, wearing a polos, holding patera in outstretched right hand and pelleted sceptre in left arm.
Reverse legend
ΣΑΜΟ ΜΗΤΙΑΝΑ

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. 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/19482
Type corpus identifier
CN type 19482

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

Varieties

  • CN type 19483

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΣΑΜΟΘ ΠΟΛΥΞΕΝΟΥ); dated c. 170–160 BC. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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