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Hemihekte
| Issuer | Kyzikos |
|---|---|
| Year | 550 BC - 500 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
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| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Von Fritze#49, SNG France#187 |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Quadripartite incuse square divided into four recessed compartments of roughly equal size by a raised cross, created by a single punch strike. The four sunken sections display a slightly granular texture consistent with hammered electrum coinage of the archaic period. The incuse is deeply impressed and well-centered on the flan, with no inscription or additional device. This reverse type is standard for archaic Kyzikene fractional electrum coinage of the late sixth century BC. |
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| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Kyzikos (Mysia) |
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| Additional information |
Kyzikos was among the most prolific and commercially dominant electrum-issuing cities of the ancient Greek world, and its coinage circulated far beyond the Propontis region — Athenian records and Black Sea hoard evidence both confirm Kyzkiene staters as a widely accepted trade currency well into the fourth century. The hemihekte, at one-twelfth of the stater, occupied the lowest practical denomination in this system.
The electrum used at Kyzikos was naturally occurring from the Pactolus river region, with a gold-to-silver ratio the mint did not fully control — composition varies measurably across specimens of this type.