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Myshemihekte
| Issuer | Ephesos |
|---|---|
| Year | 625 BC - 600 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | 6.0 mm |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | Plain incuse square punch of quadripartite form, divided by raised intersecting diagonal and rectilinear lines creating a mill-sail or swastika-like pattern within the depression. This deeply struck incuse design is a hallmark of early Lydian and Ionian electrum fractions, serving both as a countermark of authenticity and a means of securing the metal's adhesion to the flan during striking. The raised ridges within the incuse divide the square into four irregular compartments. No legend, symbol, or additional decorative element is present. The punch marks are characteristic of the primitive monetary technology of the late 7th century BC. |
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| Mint | Ephesos |
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| Additional information |
Among the earliest coinage struck anywhere in the world, the Ephesian electrum series predates any standardized monetary system by decades. These fractional pieces — the myshemihekte representing one-ninety-sixth of a stater — were almost certainly produced under the authority of the temple of Artemis, which held enormous economic influence over the city. The natural electrum alloy drawn from the Pactolus River varied in gold-to-silver ratio from piece to piece, meaning no two coins from this series are chemically identical.