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Orbis Collectibles

Ainos, Tetrobol — Goat standing right (CN type 2939)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 386/385–385/384 BC

Issuing entity

Thrace

Tetrobol in silver struck at Ainos in Thrace, dated c. 386/385–385/384 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 2939 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Head of Hermes facing, slightly turnded to right, wearing petasus. Reverse: Goat standing right, in incuse square. Legend: ΑΙΝΙ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 2.64 g (mean of 3 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 13 mm (from 2 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. 228-229, nr. 373-374, pl. X; Strack and Münzer, Die antiken Münzen Nord-Griechenlands. 2. Die Münzen der Thraker und der Städte Abdera, Ainos, Anchialos 1. Halbbd., Berlin 1912, p. 182, nr. 346.

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 drachma was an ancient Greek currency unit produced by numerous city-states across ten centuries, encompassing the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, and Roman periods. Originating in Greece around the 6th century BC, drachma denominations were minted independently by individual poleis, though their issues could circulate widely across the Mediterranean region. This tetrobol was issued during the Classical period by the city of Ainos, an ancient town in East Thrace situated along the Meriç/Evros river.

Physical characteristics

Material
silver
Denomination
Tetrobol
Recorded diameter
13 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
2.64 g (mean of 3 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Ainos
Region
Thrace
Authority type
City
Weight standard
Chian

Design

Obverse type
Head of Hermes facing, slightly turnded to right, wearing petasus.
Reverse type
Goat standing right, in incuse square.
Reverse legend
ΑΙΝΙ

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/2939
Type corpus identifier
CN type 2939

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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