Hemiobelion of Kyzikos - 1966.71
Obv.: Forepart of a wild boar running r.; behind, a tuna-fish.
Rev.: Head of a lion l., with mouth open. Above, Κ (reversed).
Title: Hemiobelion of Kyzikos - 1966.71
Culture or period: Classical Greece.
Date: c. 400 - 330 BC.
Material: Metal - Silver
Object type: Coins - Greek
Acquisition number: 1966.71
Dimensions: 7mm (w)
Origin region or location: Turkey
Display case or on loan: 5
Keywords: Coin, Greek, Classical, Mysia, Kyzikos, hemiobelion
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, France, Bibliothèque Nationale (Paris, Numismatica Ars Classica, 1983-), 392.
Classical Numismatic Group Auction, 400 lot 127.
1966.71
Hemiobelion of Kyzikos
Silver 0.229 g. 7 mm. c. 400-c. 330 BC.
Obv.: Forepart of a wild boar running r.; behind, a tuna-fish.
Rev.: Head of a lion l., with mouth open. Above, Κ (reversed).
On the foundation of Kyzikos by Corinth and its probable refoundation by Miletos (dated by Eusebios to 757-756 BC and 679-675 BC respectively), see A J. Graham, in Cambridge Ancient HIstory, III.3, 119; F.W. Hasluck, Cyzicus (Cambridge, 1910).
This coin is on the Chian weight-standard: at approximately 0.23 g., this is a half-obol that is one 48th of a tetradrachm of 15.6 g. Kyzikos adopted the Chian silver standard in c. 400 BC after the defeat of Athens in the Peloponnesian War, when there was no longer any incentive for states in the eastern Aegean to continue using the Attic standard or to issue new coinages based upon it.
Kyzikos issued large amounts of silver tetradrachms, drachmas and smaller coins such as this one from c. 400 BC onwards, supplementing its copious issues of electrum staters that had begun in the mid-6th century BC and continued well into the Hellenistic age. Its coins are remarkable for the refined detail of their die-engraving. Kyzikene staters, in particular, were widely used as a trading currency.
Sylloge Nummorum Graecorum, France, Bibliothèque Nationale (Paris, Numismatica Ars Classica, 1983-), 392.
Classical Numismatic Group Auction, 400 lot 127.
