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Orbis Collectibles

Amisos, drachm — Owl facing with spread wings standing on shield (CN type 24201)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 3rd–2nd century BC

Issuing entity

Amisos

Drachm in silver struck at Amisos, dated c. 3rd–2nd century BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 24201 (period: Classical/Hellenistic Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Head of Hera left, wearing necklace, earrings and turreted stephane. Reverse: Owl facing with spread wings standing on shield. Legend: ΜΗΝΟΦΙΛΟΥ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 4.24 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 13.2–14.3 mm (from 1 recorded specimen). The corpus assigns the type to the Persian weight standard. Published references cited by the corpus: Dalaison, Sylloge nummorum Graecorum. France 7. Département des monnaies, médailles et antiques. Paphlagonie, Pont et Arménie Mineure., Bordeaux 2015, nr. 1145 var.; Price, Sylloge nummorum Graecorum 9 The British Museum 1. The Black Sea, 1993, nr. 1108 var.

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

Amisos, known in Greek as Αμισός and modernly as Samsun, is situated as a major port on the Black Sea coast in northern Turkey. During the Classical and Hellenistic periods, the city functioned as an issuing authority, striking silver civic coinage such as this drachm assigned to the Persian weight standard around the 3rd to 2nd century BC.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
drachm
Recorded diameter
13.2–14.3 mm (from 1 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
4.24 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Amisos
Authority type
City
Weight standard
Persian

Design

Obverse type
Head of Hera left, wearing necklace, earrings and turreted stephane.
Reverse type
Owl facing with spread wings standing on shield.
Reverse legend
ΜΗΝΟΦΙΛΟΥ

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.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/24201
Type corpus identifier
CN type 24201

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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