Diobol

Historical Context: This silver diobol, struck by Abydos between 500 and 480 BC, originates from a pivotal period on the Hellespont. Strategically vital for trade, Abydos, though under Achaemenid Persian influence after the Ionian Revolt, maintained autonomy in minting. This issue signifies the city's commercial vigor and its role in regional maritime exchange, reflecting a dynamic geopolitical era just preceding the full Persian Wars.

Artistry: The anonymous engraver worked within the late Archaic Greek stylistic tradition. Typical designs for Abydos of this period feature an eagle, likely a civic emblem, rendered with a formal yet powerful aesthetic despite the coin's diminutive size. The eagle, often in profile, would show developing naturalism. The reverse usually bears an incuse square or a simple geometric pattern, characteristic of early coin design.

Technical/Grading: Weighing 1.2 grams and 7 millimeters, this diobol is a challenging specimen. Key high-points for grading include the eagle's head, breast, and wing tips. Due to its small flan and manual striking, examples often show off-centering, irregular flan shape, and variable strike strength. A well-centered strike with full details on the eagle, especially the eye and beak, is highly valued, as is a clear reverse depiction.