Trihemiobol

Historical Context: This silver Trihemiobol was issued by the prosperous Greek city of Sinope, a vital trading port on the Black Sea coast of Paphlagonia, during the Late Classical period (415-365 BC). This era saw Sinope flourish economically, leveraging its strategic location and rich fishing grounds. The city maintained a significant degree of autonomy, navigating complex political landscapes involving the Persian Empire and various Greek city-states. The issuance of this small denomination coinage underscores Sinope's active commercial life and its independent civic identity, reflecting its maritime power and economic stability during a period of considerable regional flux.

Artistry: While the engraver remains anonymous, as is common for most ancient Greek city-state issues, the coin's design exemplifies the refined Late Classical Greek artistic style. Sinope's coinage frequently features an eagle, often grasping a dolphin or fish, symbolizing the city's maritime dominance and its abundant resources. The reverse typically displays the head of the eponymous nymph Sinope, rendered with a delicate naturalism characteristic of the period. Despite the coin's diminutive size, the intricate details of the eagle's plumage and the nymph's coiffure demonstrate the skill of the die-cutter, reflecting a sophisticated artistic tradition.

Technical/Grading: Given its modest dimensions (1.52 grams, 11 mm), the technical strike quality of this Trihemiobol is a critical grading factor. High-points for the obverse eagle would typically be its head, breast, and the details of the prey, while on the reverse, the nymph's hair, nose, and chin are most susceptible to wear or incomplete striking. A well-centered strike with full detail on both sides is rare for such small flans, which often exhibit some degree of off-centring or softness in the periphery due to the challenges of manual striking. The overall preservation of these delicate elements determines its numismatic merit.