Catalog
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| Issuer | Kyzikos (Mysia) |
|---|---|
| Year | 550 BC - 450 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Hekte (⅙) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
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| Technique | Log in to see details |
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| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Quadripartite incuse square divided into four recessed compartments of alternating depth by a raised cross pattern, forming the so-called windmill or mill-sail incuse punch typical of Archaic Greek electrum coinage. The field within each quadrant shows irregular granular surface texture resulting from the hammerwork of the reverse punch. No inscriptions or additional devices are present. This deeply impressed incuse is characteristic of sixth- to fifth-century BC electrum hektes struck at Kyzikos. |
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| Edge | Log in to see details |
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| Mintage | ND (550 BC - 450 BC) |
| Additional information |
Kyzikos was among the most prolific issuers of electrum coinage in the ancient Greek world, and its hektai circulated well beyond the Propontis region — they turn up in hoards from the Black Sea coast to the Aegean littoral. The city's electrum was drawn from alluvial sources rather than refined to a consistent standard, which means the gold-to-silver ratio varies meaningfully across specimens even within the same type.
The Von Fritze typology, still the foundational reference for Kyzikene electrum, was assembled largely from die studies rather than hoard evidence, leaving many attribution sequences debated.