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Orbis Collectibles

Uncertain mint, Koson, stater — Eagle with spread wings standing left (CN type 22504)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 54–29 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Stater in gold struck at uncertain in Thrace under Koson, dated c. 54–29 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 22504 (period: Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: ruler).

Obverse: Marcus Iunius Brutus between two lictors holding fasces advancing left. Legend: ΚΟΣΩΝ. Reverse: Eagle with spread wings standing left, holding wreath in its claw. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 8.44 g (mean of 4 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 18–19 mm (from 3 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Burnett et al., RPC I: Roman Provincial Coinage. Vol. I: From the death of Caesar to the death of Vitellius: 44 BC-AD 69, London [u.a.] 1992, nr. 1701B; Hourmouziadis, ΚΟΣΩΝ gold staters and silver drachmae - a die study 166, 2010, p. 289, pic. 1C.

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

The Kosons are gold coins thought to have been struck in the 1st century BC and represent the only known gold issues minted by the Dacians. Derived from the ancient Greek stater coin denomination, they take their modern designation from the Greek inscription ΚΟΣΩΝ. This name is believed to refer to an otherwise unattested Dacian king, whom some scholars propose to identify with the Dacian ruler Cotison mentioned in the writings of Horace and Suetonius.

Physical characteristics

Material
gold
Denomination
stater
Recorded diameter
18–19 mm (from 3 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
8.44 g (mean of 4 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
uncertain
Region
Thrace
Authority type
Ruler
Issuing authority
Koson

Design

Obverse type
Marcus Iunius Brutus between two lictors holding fasces advancing left.
Reverse type
Eagle with spread wings standing left, holding wreath in its claw.
Obverse legend
ΚΟΣΩΝ

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/22504
Type corpus identifier
CN type 22504

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

Varieties

  • uncertain, Koson, stater (CN type 21748)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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