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Orbis Collectibles

Orthagoria, Half Stater (hemisiglos, hemidrachm) — Helmet (CN type 2238)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 348/347–290 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Half Stater (hemisiglos, hemidrachm) in silver struck at Orthagoria in Thrace, dated c. 348/347–290 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 2238 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Bust of Artemis facing, head left, wearing necklace and earrings; quiver at her right shoulder. Reverse: Helmet, facing, surmounted by star. Legend: ΟΡΘΑΓΟΡΕΩΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 2.42 g (mean of 41 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 13–19 mm (from 29 recorded specimens). The corpus assigns the type to the Persian weight standard. Published references cited by the corpus: Gaebler, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands 3, 1906, p. 93, nr. 3, pl. 18, pic. 23; Chryssanthaki-Nagle, Le monnayage d'Orthagoreia 6, 2004, p. 51-52, pic. 2b; Psōma et al., The coins from Maroneia and the classical city at Molyvoti: a contribution to the history of Aegean Thrace, Athens 2008, p. 193-204.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
5
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
3

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

Historical context

Orthagoria, also called Orthagoreia, was an ancient Greek town of ancient Thrace situated on the coast of the Aegean Sea. Strabo positioned the city in the Thracian region, while Pliny the Elder noted that Ortagurea was perhaps the old name of Maroneia, and others suggested it was the ancient name of Stageira. The unlocated town minted coins in silver and bronze that bore the inscription ΟΡΘΑΓΟΡΕΩΝ.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
Half Stater (hemisiglos, hemidrachm)
Recorded diameter
13–19 mm (from 29 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
2.42 g (mean of 41 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Orthagoria
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Weight standard
Persian

Design

Obverse type
Bust of Artemis facing, head left, wearing necklace and earrings; quiver at her right shoulder.
Reverse type
Helmet, facing, surmounted by star.
Reverse legend
ΟΡΘΑΓΟΡΕΩΝ

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/2238
Type corpus identifier
CN type 2238

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

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