Olbia, bronze coin — See-eagle on dolphin left (CN type 23129)
Record status
Individual type · research required
Period
c. 350–330 BC
Issuing entity
Olbia PonticaCoin in bronze struck at Olbia, dated c. 350–330 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 23129 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).
Obverse: Head of Demeter facing, wearing wreath of ears and necklace. Reverse: See-eagle on dolphin left, head reversed, wings spread. Legend: ΟΛΒΙΗ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 95.21 g (mean of 5 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 65–67 mm (from 6 recorded specimens). Recorded findspots: Parutino. Published references cited by the corpus: Anochin, Monety antičnych gorodov Severo-Zapadnogo Pričernomor'ja, Kiev 1989, nr. 72; Anochin, Antičnye monety Severnogo Pričernomor‘ja, Kiev 2011, nr. 236.
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
Pontic Olbia was an ancient Greek city founded in the 7th century BC by colonists from Miletus, situated on the shore of the Southern Bug estuary near the modern village of Parutyne in Ukraine. Its harbour served as one of the primary emporia on the Black Sea for importing Attic goods to Scythia and exporting cereals, fish, and slaves to Greece. This bronze piece was struck under the authority of the Hellenic city during the Classical Period, around 350–330 BC.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- bronze
- Recorded diameter
- 65–67 mm (from 6 recorded specimens)
- Recorded mean weight
- 95.21 g (mean of 5 recorded specimens)
Technical characteristics
- Mint
- Olbia
- Authority type
- City
Design
- Obverse type
- Head of Demeter facing, wearing wreath of ears and necklace.
- Reverse type
- See-eagle on dolphin left, head reversed, wings spread.
- Reverse legend
- ΟΛΒΙΗ
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.
- Recorded findspots
- Parutino
- Type corpus record
- https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/23129
- Type corpus identifier
- CN type 23129
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- 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