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Orbis Collectibles

Abydos, Caracalla, bronze coin — Hero and Leander (CN type 3478)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · research required

Period

AD 198–217

Issuing entity

Troas

Coin in bronze struck at Abydos in Troas under Caracalla, dated AD 198–217. Corpus Nummorum, the online type corpus of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, records it as CN type 3478 (period: Roman Imperial Period; issuing authority type: city).

Obverse: Laureate bust of Caracalla, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum. Legend: ΑV ΚΑΙ ΜΑΡ ΑVΡ ΑΝΤΟΝЄΙΝΟϹ. Reverse: Hero and Leander; to left, nude Leander swimming right; behind, helmet, cloak, sword and shield, below, fish; above, Eros, holding torch; to right, Hero standing on top of tower, holding lamp. Legend: ΑΒVΔΗΝΩΝ ΗΡΩ ΛΑΙΑΝΔΡΟϹ. Measured specimens give a mean weight of 24.76 g (from 1 recorded specimen) and a diameter of 36 mm (from 2 recorded specimens).

Published references cited by the corpus: Mionnet, S.T.5. Description de médailles antiques grecques et romaines avec leur degré de rareté et leur estimation 5, Paris 1830, pl. V, pic. 1.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
3
Photograph views
1
Catalogue references
1

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

Caracalla was Roman emperor from 198 to 217 AD, ruling as a member of the Severan dynasty initially alongside his father and brother before reigning alone after 211 AD. This civic bronze issue was struck under his rule at Abydos, an ancient city on the Asian coast of the Hellespont in the region of Mysia. In Greek myth, Abydos was the home of Leander, who famously swam the strait to visit Hero, a priestess residing across the water in Sestos.

Physical characteristics

Material
bronze
Recorded diameter
36 mm (from 2 recorded specimens)
Recorded mean weight
24.76 g (mean of 1 recorded specimens)

Technical characteristics

Mint
Abydos
Region
Troas
Authority type
City
Issuing authority
Caracalla

Design

Obverse type
Laureate bust of Caracalla, right, wearing cuirass and paludamentum.
Reverse type
Hero and Leander; to left, nude Leander swimming right; behind, helmet, cloak, sword and shield, below, fish; above, Eros, holding torch; to right, Hero standing on top of tower, holding lamp.
Obverse legend
ΑV ΚΑΙ ΜΑΡ ΑVΡ ΑΝΤΟΝЄΙΝΟϹ
Reverse legend
ΑΒVΔΗΝΩΝ ΗΡΩ ΛΑΙΑΝΔΡΟϹ

Identification

Period
Roman Imperial 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/3478
Type corpus identifier
CN type 3478

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

  • Abydos, Caracalla, bronze (CN type 3519)

    Near-identical catalogue variant (same obverse and reverse legends, type and denomination, differing only in minor marks or bust detail); consolidated into this entry.

Research required

  • Photograph reuse terms to be confirmed with the holding institution
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