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Obol
| Issuer | Corinth |
|---|---|
| Year | 550 BC - 500 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Obol (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 |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Incuse square punch divided into four quadrants by raised linear bars, creating a recessed geometric pattern characteristic of early Corinthian coinage of the archaic period. The quadripartite incuse square exhibits alternating raised and sunken compartments in a windmill or skew pattern, a hallmark of sixth-century Greek minting technique. |
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| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Corinth |
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| Additional information |
Corinthian coinage of this period circulated extraordinarily widely — Corinth's position astride the Isthmus made it the dominant commercial hub between the Aegean and Adriatic, and its silver fractional pieces traveled with merchants far beyond the Greek world. The obol, as the smallest practical silver denomination, handled the day-to-day transactions that the stater could not.
The SNG Copenhagen reference places this among a well-documented but numerically small group of survivals. At under half a gram, losses to ancient drop and modern mishandling are significant.