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Orbis Collectibles

Uncertain mint, Ataias, drachm — Horse prancing left (CN type 22503)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 350–339 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Drachm in silver struck at uncertain in Thrace under Ataias, dated c. 350–339 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 22503 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: ruler).

Obverse: Head of (youthful) Heracles, left, wearing lion skin. Reverse: Horse prancing left. Legend: ΑΤΑΙΑΣ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 3.35 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 15 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). The corpus assigns the type to the reduced Chian weight standard. Published references cited by the corpus: Stolyarik, Scythians in the West Pontic area: new numismatic evidence 13, 2001, p. 22, nr. 1a.1-2; Draganov, The Coinage of the Scythian kings in the West Pontic area, Sofia 2015, p. 156, nr. 5-6.

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

Ataias, also known in Greek and Roman sources as Ateas, Atheas, Ateia, or Ateus, was described as the most powerful king of Scythia. Ruling during the Classical Period, his life and empire ended following a conflict with Philip II of Macedon in 339 BC. This drachm was struck under his authority in Thrace between c. 350 and 339 BC.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
drachm
Recorded diameter
15 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
3.35 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
uncertain
Region
Thrace
Authority type
Ruler
Weight standard
reduced Chian
Issuing authority
Ataias

Design

Obverse type
Head of (youthful) Heracles, left, wearing lion skin.
Reverse type
Horse prancing left.
Reverse legend
ΑΤΑΙΑΣ

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/22503
Type corpus identifier
CN type 22503

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

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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