Catalog
| Issuer | Herakleia Pontika (Bithynia) |
|---|---|
| Year | 345 BC - 337 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | Hemidrachm (½) |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 2.36 g |
| Diameter | 16 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | SNG BM Black Sea#818, HGC 7#499 |
| Obverse description | Head of young Dionysus l., wearing ivy wreath. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | |
| Obverse lettering | |
| Reverse description | Heracles standing l. erecting trophy, nude but for lion skin draped over l. arm and sword in scabbard suspended from baldric. |
| Reverse script | Greek |
| Reverse lettering |
ΤΙΜΟΘΕΟΥ ΔΙΟΝΥΣΙΟΥ |
| Edge | |
| Mint | Heraclea Pontica, Bithynia, modern-day Marmara Ereglisi, Turkey |
| Mintage | ND (345 BC - 337 BC) |
| Numisquare ID | 2966925847 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: Herakleia Pontika, a prosperous Greek colony on the Black Sea, issued this silver stater during the joint tyranny of Timotheos and Dionysios (345-337 BC). This Late Classical era saw shifting power, notably Macedonian expansion under Philip II. Despite external pressures, Herakleia maintained autonomy. The coinage, bearing the rulers' names, signifies their authority and the city's economic strength, reflecting a powerful independent polis in the vital Pontic region.
Artistry: The stater's artistry exemplifies Late Classical Greek style prevalent in the Pontic region. While engravers remain anonymous, craftsmanship reflects skilled local minting. Obverse designs typically feature Herakles' head wearing his lion-skin, a direct tribute to the city's namesake. The reverse commonly displays Herakles' club, accompanied by the ethnic inscription, HPAKLEIA. These motifs are rendered with idealized form and naturalism, emphasizing civic identity and divine association.
Technical/Grading: Weighing 2.36 grams and 16 millimeters, this silver stater adheres to a local denominational standard. Optimal grading requires a well-centered strike, ensuring full design elements on both sides. High-points prone to wear include Herakles' facial features and lion-skin details, and the club's texture and inscription. A strong strike on a sound flan, with minimal die wear and surface imperfections, classifies this as a superior example, preserving its intricate ancient production details.