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Orbis Collectibles

Ainos, tetradrachm (triple siglos) — Goat standing right within linear square (CN type 2730)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 453/452–451/450 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Tetradrachm (triple siglos) in silver struck at Ainos in Thrace, dated c. 453/452–451/450 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 2730 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Head of Hermes, right, wearing petasus. Legend: ΑΙΝΙ. Reverse: Goat standing right within linear square; outside of linear square, nude horned Pan, right; all within incuse square. Legend: ΑΝΤΙΑΔΑΣ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 16.16 g (mean of 17 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 24–26.5 mm (from 11 recorded specimens). The corpus assigns the type to the Persian weight standard. Published references cited by the corpus: May, Ainos, its History and Coinage, 474-341 B.C, London 1950, p. 65-68, nr. 85-91, pl. III; Strack and Münzer, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands. 2. Die Münzen der Thraker und der Städte Abdera, Ainos, Anchialos 1. Halbbd., Berlin 1912, p. 161-162, nr. 279.

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

Struck at Ainos in Thrace during the Classical Period, this coin belongs to the tradition of the tetradrachm, a large silver denomination originating in Ancient Greece that was nominally equivalent to four drachmae. Tetradrachms first emerged in the late 6th century BC and became standard trade coins across Classical Antiquity, issued in various weight and fineness standards. The type was struck to the Persian weight standard, reflecting the influence of the Achaemenid monetary system, in which the silver siglos circulated alongside gold darics from around 520 BCE–450 BCE to 330 BCE.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
tetradrachm (triple siglos)
Recorded diameter
24–26.5 mm (from 11 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
16.16 g (mean of 17 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Ainos
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Weight standard
Persian

Design

Obverse type
Head of Hermes, right, wearing petasus.
Reverse type
Goat standing right within linear square; outside of linear square, nude horned Pan, right; all within incuse square.
Obverse legend
ΑΙΝΙ
Reverse legend
ΑΝΤΙΑΔΑΣ

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/2730
Type corpus identifier
CN type 2730

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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