Skip to content
Orbis Collectibles

Ainos, tetradrachm — Goat standing right (CN type 2875)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 402/401–400/399 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Tetradrachm in silver struck at Ainos in Thrace, dated c. 402/401–400/399 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 2875 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Head of Hermes facing three-quarters left, wearing petasus. Reverse: Goat standing right, in incuse square. Legend: ΑΙΝΙΟΝ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 15.83 g (mean of 8 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 26 mm (from 6 recorded specimens). The corpus assigns the type to the Chian weight standard. Published references cited by the corpus: May, Ainos, its History and Coinage, 474-341 B.C, London 1950, p. 207-211, nr. 324-332, pl. IV-V; Strack and Münzer, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands. 2. Die Münzen der Thraker und der Städte Abdera, Ainos, Anchialos 1. Halbbd., Berlin 1912, p. 176, nr. 323.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
5
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

Ainos, known modernly as Enez in East Thrace, was an ancient Greek town situated near the border with Greece. In the Classical Period, cities in ancient Greece minted large silver tetradrachms nominally equal to four drachmae. First appearing in the late 6th century BC, the tetradrachm developed into the standard trade coin of Classical Antiquity and was widely produced across diverse weight standards.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
tetradrachm
Recorded diameter
26 mm (from 6 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
15.83 g (mean of 8 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Ainos
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Weight standard
Chian

Design

Obverse type
Head of Hermes facing three-quarters left, wearing petasus.
Reverse type
Goat standing right, in incuse square.
Reverse legend
ΑΙΝΙΟΝ

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. 4 closely related CN types with the same mint, denomination and design are consolidated into this entry and listed under varieties.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/2875
Type corpus identifier
CN type 2875

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

  • CN type 2889

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΑΙΝΙΟΝ); dated c. 400/399–398/397 BC. Consolidated into this entry

  • CN type 2891

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΑΙΝΙΟΝ); dated c. 398/397–396/395 BC. Consolidated into this entry

  • CN type 2961

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΑΙΝΙΟΝ); dated c. 376/375–374/373 BC. Consolidated into this entry

  • CN type 2965

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΑΙΝΙΟΝ); dated c. 370/369–368/367 BC. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
Can you source one of these? Submit a reference