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Orbis Collectibles

Chersonesus Thracica, Hemihekte — Quadripartite incuse square (CN type 20379)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 515–493 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Hemihekte in silver struck at Chersonesus Thracica in Thrace, dated c. 515–493 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 20379 (period: Archaic/Classical Period; issuing authority type: league).

Obverse: Lion's head, left, with open jaws and protruding tongue. Reverse: Quadripartite incuse square, divided by two crossed lines. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 1.38 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 10–11 mm (from 2 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: van Alfen, Ambiguities in Monetary Authority: the Archaic Coinages of the Thracian Chersones 77, Berlin, p. 156, nr. 63-65.

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

Chersonesus Thracica was the ancient name for the Thracian Chersonese, known in modern times as the Gallipoli Peninsula in East Thrace. Situated between the Aegean Sea and the Dardanelles, formerly called the Hellespont, the peninsula formed a vital strategic region in antiquity. This silver hemihekte was issued by a league authority active in the region during the Archaic and Classical periods between c. 515 and 493 BC.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
Hemihekte
Recorded diameter
10–11 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
1.38 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Chersonesus Thracica
Region
Thrace
Authority type
League

Design

Obverse type
Lion's head, left, with open jaws and protruding tongue.
Reverse type
Quadripartite incuse square, divided by two crossed lines.

Identification

Period
Archaic/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/20379
Type corpus identifier
CN type 20379

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

Research required

  • Legends not transcribed in the source corpus
  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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