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Orbis Collectibles

Skepsis, drachm — Fir-tree between two bunches of grapes within linear square and (CN type 20820)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 450–400 BC

Issuing entity

Troas

Drachm in silver struck at Skepsis in Troas, dated c. 450–400 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 20820 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Forepart of winged horse, right. On neck, a symbol. Legend: ΣΚΗΨΙΟΝ. Reverse: Fir-tree between two bunches of grapes within linear square and a square of dots. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 3.75 g (mean of 6 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 16–17 mm (from 5 recorded specimens). The corpus assigns the type to the Chian weight standard.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
0

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

Historical context

Skepsis, also recorded as Scepsis, was an ancient settlement located in the Troad, Asia Minor. Notable as the home of Demetrius of Scepsis and Metrodorus of Scepsis, the town was also famous as the place where the library of Aristotle was preserved before its later transfer to Pergamum and Alexandria. This silver drachm represents the Classical civic coinage produced by the community of Skepsis around 450–400 BC.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
drachm
Recorded diameter
16–17 mm (from 5 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
3.75 g (mean of 6 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Skepsis
Region
Troas
Authority type
City
Weight standard
Chian

Design

Obverse type
Forepart of winged horse, right. On neck, a symbol.
Reverse type
Fir-tree between two bunches of grapes within linear square and a square of dots.
Obverse legend
ΣΚΗΨΙΟΝ

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/20820
Type corpus identifier
CN type 20820
Source note
The corpus record cites no printed literature for this type; it rests on recorded specimens.

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
Research required
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

No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.

Research required

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