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Obol Western Asia Minor
| Issuer | Uncertain Greek city |
|---|---|
| Year | 500 BC - 450 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 |
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| Obverse description | Head of a male figure facing right, rendered in archaic style with strongly stylized, parallel horizontal striations delineating the hair or helmet. The facial features are schematically but distinctly rendered, with a visible eye, nose, and chin in profile. The surface exhibits the characteristic shallow relief and flan irregularity typical of early Western Anatolian mint production. No legend or inscription is present in the field. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Incuse square punch of irregular form, divided into multiple compartments by raised ridges, creating a rough mill-sail or quadripartite pattern within the sunken area. This type of incuse reverse is characteristic of archaic Greek coinage from Western Asia Minor mints of the early fifth century BC, serving as the anvil die impression. The field surrounding the incuse is flat and unworked. No legend or additional devices are present. |
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| Additional information |
The proliferation of tiny fractional silver in western Asia Minor during this period reflects the granular commercial needs of Greek coastal settlements trading in spices, dyes, and textiles alongside Lydian and Persian networks. Without a confirmed issuing authority, attribution remains contested among specialists — stylistic die studies have nudged various examples toward Ionia, Mysia, and the Troad, often inconclusively.