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Kardia, Kardia A — Lion standing left (CN type 1968)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

357/346–309 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Kardia A in bronze struck at Kardia in Thrace, dated 357/346–309 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 1968 (period: Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Head of Demeter, left, wearing corn wreath, earring and necklace. Reverse: Lion standing left, breaking spear in jaws. Legend: ΚΑΡΔΙΑ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 8.76 g (mean of 4 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 19–22 mm (from 4 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Tzvetkova, The Coinage of Kardia 13, 2009, p. 45, nr. 33-38; Hoover, Handbook of coins of Macedon and its neighbors. Part II: Thrace, Skythia, and Taurike: sixth to first centuries BC, Lancaster, Pa. London 2017, p. 112, nr. 1477.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
6
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

Cardia, or Kardia, was anciently the chief town of the Thracian Chersonese, situated at the head of the Gulf of Melas. Originally founded as a colony of the Milesians and Clazomenians, the settlement later received Athenian colonists under Miltiades during the late 6th century BC. This Hellenistic bronze issue from Kardia dates to 357/346–309 BC, bearing the legend of the city.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
Kardia A
Recorded diameter
19–22 mm (from 4 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
8.76 g (mean of 4 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Kardia
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City

Design

Obverse type
Head of Demeter, left, wearing corn wreath, earring and necklace.
Reverse type
Lion standing left, breaking spear in jaws.
Reverse legend
ΚΑΡΔΙΑ

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. 5 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/1968
Type corpus identifier
CN type 1968

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 1994

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΚΑΡΔΙΑ); dated 357/346–309 BC. Consolidated into this entry

  • CN type 1995

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΚΑΡΔΙΑ); dated 357/346–309 BC. Consolidated into this entry

  • CN type 1996

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΚΑΡΔΙΑ); dated 357/346–309 BC. Consolidated into this entry

  • CN type 1997

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΚΑΡΔΙΑ); dated 357/346–309 BC. Consolidated into this entry

  • CN type 1998

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΚΑΡΔΙΑ); dated 357/346–309 BC. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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