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Orbis Collectibles

Abdera, stater — Dolphin swimming diagonally left within linear frame (CN type 20390)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 395–360 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Stater in silver struck at Abdera in Thrace, dated c. 395–360 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 20390 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Griffin leaping left. Legend: ΑΒΔ(Η). Reverse: Dolphin swimming diagonally left within linear frame. All within a shallow incuse square. Legend: ΠΡΟΜΗΘΙΔΗΣ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 12.22 g (from 1 recorded specimen). The corpus assigns the type to the Aeginetan weight standard. Published references cited by the corpus: Chryssanthaki-Nagle, L'histoire monétaire d'Abdère en Thrace: (VIe s. avant J.-C. - IIe s. après J.-C.), Athen 2007, p. 119-126; May, The Coinage of Abdera: (540-345 B. C.), London 1966, p. 226, nr. 343.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
2

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

Historical context

Abdera was a major Greek polis situated on the Thracian coast opposite the island of Thasos, founded as a colony in previously unsettled Thracian territory during the age of Greek colonization. Staters were widely used coins minted across diverse regions of ancient Greece. This silver stater was struck by the city of Abdera during the Classical period between circa 395 and 360 BC.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
stater
Recorded mean weight
12.22 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Abdera
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Weight standard
Aeginetan

Design

Obverse type
Griffin leaping left.
Reverse type
Dolphin swimming diagonally left within linear frame. All within a shallow incuse square.
Obverse legend
ΑΒΔ(Η)
Reverse legend
ΠΡΟΜΗΘΙΔΗΣ

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/20390
Type corpus identifier
CN type 20390

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

  • Diameter not recorded in the source corpus
  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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