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Assos, Hemisiglos (hemidrachm) — Thunderbolt (CN type 20381)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 330–280 BC

Issuing entity

Troas

Hemisiglos (hemidrachm) in silver struck at Assos in Troas, dated c. 330–280 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 20381 (period: Classical/Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: league).

Obverse: Head of Athena, right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet, decorated with serpent, a single-pendant earring and necklace. Reverse: Thunderbolt. Legend: ΑΙΟΛΕ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 2.55 g (mean of 4 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 15–15.6 mm (from 3 recorded specimens). The corpus assigns the type to the Persian weight standard. Published references cited by the corpus: Imhoof-Blumer, Griechische Münzen in dem königlichen Münzkabinet im Haag und in den anderen Sammlungen. 3, 1876, p. 312, nr. 1; Ellis-Evans, The kingdom of Priam: Lesbos and the Troad between Anatolia and the Aegean, Oxford 2019, p. 260-265; Cook, The Troad: an archaeological and topographical study, Oxford 1973; Lenger, A Phantom City in the Troad: Aioleion and its Coinage, 2017; Lazzarini, L'inizio della monetazione di Assos e una nuova ipotesi su Aioleis (Troade), 1983.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
7
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
5

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

Historical context

Assos was an ancient Greek city located on the southern coast of the Biga Peninsula along the Adramyttian Gulf, offering the only good harbour along that stretch of coast. Situated in the historical region of the Troad in north-western Anatolia, the settlement was a significant maritime centre. This silver hemisiglos dates to circa 330–280 BC, produced during the Classical to Hellenistic period under the authority of a league.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
Hemisiglos (hemidrachm)
Recorded diameter
15–15.6 mm (from 3 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
2.55 g (mean of 4 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Assos
Region
Troas
Authority type
League
Weight standard
Persian

Design

Obverse type
Head of Athena, right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet, decorated with serpent, a single-pendant earring and necklace.
Reverse type
Thunderbolt.
Reverse legend
ΑΙΟΛΕ

Identification

Period
Classical/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/20381
Type corpus identifier
CN type 20381

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 bibliographyp. 312, nr. 1
  • Corpus Nummorum bibliographyp. 260-265
  • Corpus Nummorum bibliography
  • Corpus Nummorum bibliography
  • Corpus Nummorum bibliography

Varieties

  • CN type 20408

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΑΙΟΛΕ); dated c. 330–280 BC. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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