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Orbis Collectibles

Kisthene, bronze coin — Horseman galopping right (CN type 3421)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

c. 380–330 BC

Issuing entity

Mysia

Coin in bronze struck at Kisthene in Mysia, dated c. 380–330 BC. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 3421 (period: Classical Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Veiled head of Demeter, right, wearing corn wreath. Reverse: Horseman galopping right, wearing fluttering cloak and raising right arm. Legend: ΚΙΣΘΗ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 4.46 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens) and a diameter of 16–17 mm (from 2 recorded specimens). Published references cited by the corpus: Stauber et al., Die Bucht von Adramytteion, Bonn 1996, p. 264, nr. 7; Fritze et al., Die antiken Münzen Mysiens. 1: Adramytion - Kisthene, Berlin 1913, p. 222, nr. 622.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
4
Photograph views
2
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

Kisthene, also called Cisthene, was a coastal town located in western Mysia in ancient Aeolis, situated opposite the island of Lesbos. Mysia itself was a region in the northwest of ancient Asia Minor, bordered by the Propontis, Bithynia, Phrygia, Lydia, and Aeolis. The mines of Kisthene served as a source of copper, supporting the civic bronze coinage produced there during the Classical Period.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
16–17 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
4.46 g (mean of 2 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Kisthene
Region
Mysia
Authority type
City

Design

Obverse type
Veiled head of Demeter, right, wearing corn wreath.
Reverse type
Horseman galopping right, wearing fluttering cloak and raising right arm.
Reverse legend
ΚΙΣΘΗ

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. 1 closely related CN type with the same mint, denomination and design is consolidated into this entry and listed under varieties.
Type corpus record
https://www.corpus-nummorum.eu/types/3421
Type corpus identifier
CN type 3421

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

Varieties

  • CN type 3422

    Same mint, denomination and design (reverse legend ΚΙΣ); dated c. 380–330 BC. Consolidated into this entry

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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