Skip to content
Orbis Collectibles

Skepsis, tetradrachm — Zeus Idaios standing facing (CN type 20885)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 85–70 BC

Issuing entity

Troas

Tetradrachm in silver struck at Skepsis in Troas, dated c. 85–70 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 20885 (period: Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate head of Zeus, right. Reverse: Zeus Idaios standing facing, head left, naked to waist, holding thunderbolt in lowered right hand, left resting on long sceptre; all within oak wreath. Legend: ΣΚΗΨΙΩΝ / [Δ]ΙΟΣ ΙΔΑΙΟΥ // ΚΟΝΩΝΟΣ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 16.73 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 30 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). The corpus assigns the type to the Attic 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 was an ancient settlement situated in the Troad, Asia Minor. Originating in Ancient Greece during the late 6th century BC, the tetradrachm was nominally worth four drachmae and became the standard trade coin of Classical Antiquity. Minted by various polities across the Hellenic world and beyond, these large silver pieces were often employed for state expenditure such as military pay and offered convenient space for political figures or authorities to advertise themselves.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
tetradrachm
Recorded diameter
30 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
16.73 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Skepsis
Region
Troas
Authority type
City
Weight standard
Attic

Design

Obverse type
Laureate head of Zeus, right.
Reverse type
Zeus Idaios standing facing, head left, naked to waist, holding thunderbolt in lowered right hand, left resting on long sceptre; all within oak wreath.
Reverse legend
ΣΚΗΨΙΩΝ / [Δ]ΙΟΣ ΙΔΑΙΟΥ // ΚΟΝΩΝΟΣ

Identification

Period
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.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/20885
Type corpus identifier
CN type 20885
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

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
Can you source one of these? Submit a reference