Kyzikos, tetradrachm — Apollo with laurel wreath sitting left on the omphalos covered (CN type 20191)
Record status
Individual type · research required
Period
c. 300–250 BC
Issuing entity
MysiaTetradrachm in silver struck at Kyzikos in Mysia, dated c. 300–250 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 20191 (period: Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: city).
Obverse: Head of Kore Soteira left with her hair tied up in a shawl (sakkos), ears of grain, and an earring. Legend: ΣΩΤΕΙΡΑ. Reverse: Apollo with laurel wreath sitting left on the omphalos covered with woolen bandages and standing on a base, turning his naked torso forward; in his outstretched right hand a patera or plectrum, his left arm resting on a cithara; underfoot a tunny left. Legend: ΚΥ-エΙ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 10.96 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 23.6 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). The corpus assigns the type to the reduced Rhodian weight standard.
Published references cited by the corpus: Levante, Sylloge nummorum Graecorum. France. 5, Département des monnaies, médailles et antiques. Mysie 5, Paris/Zürich 2001, nr. 416.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 3
- 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
Originating in Ancient Greece in the late 6th century BC, the tetradrachm was a large silver coin equal to four drachmae that became the primary trade currency of Classical Antiquity. Minted in substantial numbers across various polities, tetradrachms commonly served for state expenditures such as military pay. This Hellenistic civic issue was produced by the ancient Greek town of Kyzikos (Cyzicus), located in Mysia in Anatolia.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- silver
- Denomination
- tetradrachm
- Recorded diameter
- 23.6 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
- Recorded mean weight
- 10.96 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Kyzikos
- Region
- Mysia
- Authority type
- City
- Weight standard
- reduced Rhodian
Design
- Obverse type
- Head of Kore Soteira left with her hair tied up in a shawl (sakkos), ears of grain, and an earring.
- Reverse type
- Apollo with laurel wreath sitting left on the omphalos covered with woolen bandages and standing on a base, turning his naked torso forward; in his outstretched right hand a patera or plectrum, his left arm resting on a cithara; underfoot a tunny left.
- Obverse legend
- ΣΩΤΕΙΡΑ
- Reverse legend
- ΚΥ-エΙ
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.
- Type corpus record
- https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/20191
- Type corpus identifier
- CN type 20191
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
- Corpus Nummorum bibliographynr. 416
Research required
- Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution