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Orbis Collectibles

Lampsakos, Obol — Head of Athena (CN type 20535)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 480–470 BC

Issuing entity

Mysia

Obol in silver struck at Lampsakos in Mysia, dated c. 480–470 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 20535 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Archaic female janiform heads wearing earring, necklace, and diadem; with parted forehead hair and border of dots. Reverse: Head of Athena, left, with wreath on Corinthian helmet. All within an incuse square. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 0.75 g (mean of 14 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 10–12.2 mm (from 14 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Baldwin, Lampsakos: The Gold staters, silver and bronze coinages., New York 1924, p. 54, nr. 2, pl. 5, pic. 25; Gaebler, Die Silberprägung von Lampsakos: eine chronologische Studie 12, 1923, p. 6, nr. 24, pl. 1, pic. 24.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
3
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

Lampsacus was an ancient Greek city located on the eastern side of the Hellespont in the northern Troad. The broader territory of Mysia was a region in the northwest of ancient Asia Minor, situated along the south coast of the Sea of Marmara and bounded to the west by the Troad. The obol formed a standard denomination of ancient Greek currency, struck here in silver during the Classical period around 480–470 BC.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
Obol
Recorded diameter
10–12.2 mm (from 14 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
0.75 g (mean of 14 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Lampsakos
Region
Mysia
Authority type
City

Design

Obverse type
Archaic female janiform heads wearing earring, necklace, and diadem; with parted forehead hair and border of dots.
Reverse type
Head of Athena, left, with wreath on Corinthian helmet. All within an incuse square.

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. 2 closely related CN types with the same mint, denomination and design are consolidated into this entry and listed under varieties.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/20535
Type corpus identifier
CN type 20535

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

Varieties

  • CN type 20536

    Same mint, denomination and design; dated c. 480–470 BC. Consolidated into this entry

  • CN type 20591

    Same mint, denomination and design; dated c. 480–470 BC. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

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