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Orbis Collectibles

Hephaistia, bronze coin — Torch (CN type 19908)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 276/261–167 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Coin in bronze struck at Hephaistia in Thrace, dated c. 276/261–167 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 19908 (period: Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Youthful head (Apollo?) right, wearing laurel wreath. Reverse: Torch, between the two caps of the Dioscuri, each surmounted by star. Legend: ΗΦΑΙ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 1.57 g (mean of 4 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 12–16 mm (from 3 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Poole, BMC. Catalogue of Greek coins: the Tauric Chersonese, Sarmatia, Dacia, Moesia, Thrace, &c., Bologna 1979, p. 213, nr. 8; 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. 61, nr. 293; 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. 980, pl. 19; Sallet, Beschreibung der antiken Münzen I: Taurische Chersonesus, Sarmatien, Dacien, Pannonien, Moesien, Thracien, thracische Könige, Berlin 1888, p. 280, nr. 4.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
6
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
4

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

Historical context

Hephaistia, also known as Hephaestia, was an ancient Greek town situated on the northern shore of the island of Lemnos in the northern Aegean Sea. Named in honour of Hephaistos, the Greek god of metallurgy, it had previously served as the island's capital between the 8th and 6th centuries BCE. This Hellenistic civic bronze coin was struck at Hephaistia within the wider regional sphere of Thrace.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
12–16 mm (from 3 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
1.57 g (mean of 4 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Hephaistia
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City

Design

Obverse type
Youthful head (Apollo?) right, wearing laurel wreath.
Reverse type
Torch, between the two caps of the Dioscuri, each surmounted by star.
Reverse legend
ΗΦΑΙ

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/19908
Type corpus identifier
CN type 19908

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 19913

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΗΦΑΙ); dated c. 276/261–167 BC. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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