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Orbis Collectibles

Astyra, Tissaphernes, bronze coin — Facing cult-statue of Artemis Astyrene (CN type 20321)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 400–395 BC

Issuing entity

Astyra

Coin in bronze struck at Astyra under Tissaphernes, dated c. 400–395 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 20321 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Bare bearded head of Tissaphernes, right. Legend: ΤΙΣΣΑ. Reverse: Facing cult-statue of Artemis Astyrene, wearing kalathos; to upper right, club. Legend: ΑΣΤΥΡΗ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 1.56 g (mean of 8 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 11–13 mm (from 7 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Levante, Sylloge nummorum Graecorum. France. 5, Département des monnaies, médailles et antiques. Mysie 5, Paris/Zürich 2001, nr. 124A, pl. 9, pic. 124A; Klein, Sammlung von griechischen Kleinsilbermünzen und Bronzen, Milano 1999, nr. 253; Bodzek, On the dating of the bronze issues of Tissaphernes, Kraków 2012, p. 108, pic. 2; Cahn, Tissaphernes in Astyra, 1985, p. 589, nr. 4.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
6
Photograph views
1
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

Tissaphernes (445–395 BC) was a Persian commander and statesman who served as satrap of Lydia and Ionia. A member of the high nobility, he was the son of Hidarnes III and a great-grandson of Hydarnes, one of the conspirators who assisted Darius the Great. This bronze coin was struck at Astyra during the final years of his life and political career.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
11–13 mm (from 7 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
1.56 g (mean of 8 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Astyra
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Tissaphernes

Design

Obverse type
Bare bearded head of Tissaphernes, right.
Reverse type
Facing cult-statue of Artemis Astyrene, wearing kalathos; to upper right, club.
Obverse legend
ΤΙΣΣΑ
Reverse legend
ΑΣΤΥΡΗ

Identification

Period
Classical 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/20321
Type corpus identifier
CN type 20321

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

Research required

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