Hemidrachm Dot EY Monogram/Dot Lekythos with Strigil

Emittente Cherronesos (Thrace)
Anno 357 BC - 320 BC
Tipo Standard circulation coin
Valore Hemidrachm (1/2)
Valuta Drachm
Composizione Silver
Peso 2.4 g
Diametro 13 mm
Spessore
Forma Round (irregular)
Tecnica Hammered, Incuse
Orientamento Variable alignment ↺
Incisore/i
In circolazione fino al
Riferimento/i CN type#6623 Greek#44
Descrizione del dritto Forepart of a lion to right, head turned back to left.
Scrittura del dritto
Legenda del dritto
Descrizione del rovescio Quadripartite incuse square with alternating raised and sunken quarters; monogram with pellet and lekythos with strigil in sunken quarters.
Scrittura del rovescio
Legenda del rovescio
Bordo
Zecca
Tiratura ND (357 BC - 320 BC) - -
ID Numisquare 1596193460
Informazioni aggiuntive

Historical Context: This silver hemidrachm, issued by Cherronesos in Thrace (357-320 BC), emerges from a pivotal era. Macedon's ascendancy under Philip II and Alexander the Great profoundly impacted independent Greek city-states and federal entities like Cherronesos. Their coinage, often featuring a lion's forepart, served as a crucial medium for trade and asserting regional identity amidst shifting geopolitical landscapes. The 'Dot EY Monogram' likely signifies a specific magistrate or official overseeing minting.

Artistry: The reverse design features a dot lekythos alongside a strigil, emblematic of athletic contests or funerary rituals, common motifs in late Classical Greek numismatics. The 'Dot EY Monogram' is prominently displayed, serving as a mint mark or magistrate's personal device. While specific engravers are rarely identifiable for regional issues, the style reflects the refined naturalism characteristic of the late 4th century BC, with careful attention to symbolic object rendering despite the coin's diminutive size.

Technical/Grading: Weighing 2.4 grams and measuring 13 millimeters, this silver hemidrachm is a significant fractional denomination. Key high-points for preservation include the lion's mane and facial features on the obverse (typical for Cherronesos), and the details of the lekythos, strigil, and EY monogram on the reverse. Strike quality varies; well-centered examples with full detail on all devices, particularly the delicate monogram and vessel contours, command premium. Minor flan imperfections or slight off-centering are common.

×