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Orbis Collectibles

Apollonia Pontike, tetrachalkon — Inverted anchor (CN type 22003)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 425–306 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Tetrachalkon in bronze struck at Apollonia Pontike in Thrace, dated c. 425–306 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 22003 (period: Classical/Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding bow in right hand. Reverse: Inverted anchor;  under right fluke, crayfish, under left fluke, ethnicon. Legend: Α. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 4.29 g (mean of 21 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 15.1–20.5 mm (from 25 recorded specimens). Recorded findspots: Varna Region, Burgas Region, Sozopol (Созопол), Sveta Marina (Света Марина), Černi vrăh (Черни връх).

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
4
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

Apollonia, historically known earlier as Antheia, was a prosperous Greek colony located on the southern Black Sea coast. During the Classical and Hellenistic periods, prior to its devastation by a Roman siege in 72 BC, the coastal city functioned as an active regional centre in Thrace. This bronze tetrachalkon was produced by Apollonia as an autonomous civic issue during that era.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Denomination
tetrachalkon
Recorded diameter
15.1–20.5 mm (from 25 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
4.29 g (mean of 21 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Apollonia Pontike
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City

Design

Obverse type
Apollo seated left on omphalos, holding bow in right hand.
Reverse type
Inverted anchor;  under right fluke, crayfish, under left fluke, ethnicon.
Reverse legend
Α

Identification

Period
Classical/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. 3 closely related CN types with the same mint, denomination and design are consolidated into this entry and listed under varieties.
Recorded findspots
Varna Region, Burgas Region, Sozopol (Созопол), Sveta Marina (Света Марина), Černi vrăh (Черни връх)
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/22003
Type corpus identifier
CN type 22003
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.

Varieties

  • CN type 22005

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΑΚΟΥΣΙΛΕΩΣ; mon. Α); dated c. 425–306 BC. Consolidated into this entry

  • CN type 22006

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend Α // ΘΑΛΗΣ); dated c. 425–306 BC. Consolidated into this entry

  • CN type 22007

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend Α // ΖΩΠΥΡΟΣ); dated c. 425–306 BC. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

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