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Orbis Collectibles

Parion, hemidrachm — Incuse square with a linear cruciform pattern and a central (CN type 21230)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 500–400 BC

Issuing entity

Mysia

Hemidrachm in silver struck at Parion in Mysia, dated c. 500–400 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 21230 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Gorgoneion. Reverse: Incuse square with a linear cruciform pattern and a central pellet. In one of the segments and between the lines of the cross, a short line. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 1.92 g (mean of 5 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 13 mm (from 4 recorded specimens). The corpus assigns the type to the Chian weight standard. Published references cited by the corpus: Levante, Sylloge nummorum Graecorum. France. 5, Département des monnaies, médailles et antiques. Mysie 5, Paris/Zürich 2001, nr. 1346; Wroth, Catalogue of the Greek Coins of Mysia., London 1892, p. 95, nr. 12-13.

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

Parion, also known as Parium, was an ancient Greek city of Adrasteia situated on the Hellespont. It belonged to Mysia, a region located on the south coast of the Sea of Marmara in northwestern Asia Minor. In ancient times, Mysia was bordered by Bithynia, Phrygia, Lydia, Aeolis, the Troad and the Propontis, and was inhabited by Mysians, Phrygians and Aeolian Greeks.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
hemidrachm
Recorded diameter
13 mm (from 4 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
1.92 g (mean of 5 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Parion
Region
Mysia
Authority type
City
Weight standard
Chian

Design

Obverse type
Gorgoneion.
Reverse type
Incuse square with a linear cruciform pattern and a central pellet. In one of the segments and between the lines of the cross, a short line.

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/21230
Type corpus identifier
CN type 21230

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

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