Drachm

Historical Context: The Tenedos drachm, minted between 450 and 387 BC, situates the island polis at a critical juncture of Classical Greek history. Controlling access to the Hellespont, Tenedos was a vital Athenian ally within the Delian League throughout the Peloponnesian War. Its coinage, with the double-head and double-axe, underscores its economic autonomy and political identity amidst shifting hegemonic powers, including Spartan and Persian influence following the King's Peace. This period reflects Tenedos's resilience and importance as a maritime hub.

Artistry: This drachm exemplifies the refined Classical Greek artistic style of the mid-5th to early 4th centuries BC. While specific engraver signatures are unknown for Tenedos, anonymous die-cutters achieved remarkable naturalism and balanced composition. The obverse's iconic Janus-like conjoined heads, traditionally interpreted as the founder Tenes (male) and a local goddess (female), display intricate facial features and hair details. The reverse's prominent double-axe (labrys), a civic emblem, is rendered with robust simplicity, encircled by the clear ethnic inscription.

Technical/Grading: For this type, critical grading points reside on both obverse and reverse. On the obverse, high-grade examples retain full detail on the noses, lips, and eyes of both conjoined heads, with distinct profile separation and clear hair strand rendering, especially over forehead and temples. Wear often manifests first on the highest points of noses and foreheads. On the reverse, sharpness of the double-axe blades and handle is paramount. Crucially, the entirety and legibility of the ethnic inscription "TENEDIWN" around the axe, including all letterforms and spacing, significantly determines grade.