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Orbis Collectibles

Kaunos, bronze coin — Sphinx seated left (CN type 20819)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 390–370 BC

Issuing entity

Kaunos

Coin in bronze struck at Kaunos, dated c. 390–370 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 20819 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Head of Apollo three quarter facing left. Reverse: Sphinx seated left. Legend: Δ–Γ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 0.81 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 9–9.4 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). Published references cited by the corpus: Konuk, The early coinage of Kaunos, London 1998, p. 214, nr. 117, pl. 50.

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

Kaunos was an ancient city located in Caria in Anatolia, situated a few kilometres west of modern Dalyan in Muğla Province, Turkey. Bordered by the Calbys river separating Caria and Lycia, it functioned initially as an independent state before becoming part of Caria and subsequently Lycia. From its origins dating back to the 10th century BC, Kaunos operated as a significant sea port with two harbours, including a southern port utilised through the Hellenistic era.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
9–9.4 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
0.81 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Kaunos
Authority type
City

Design

Obverse type
Head of Apollo three quarter facing left.
Reverse type
Sphinx seated left.
Reverse legend
Δ–Γ

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/20819
Type corpus identifier
CN type 20819

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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