Trihemiobol

Historical Context: This Trihemiobol, struck by the ancient city of Knidos around 500 BC, emerges from a pivotal era in Archaic Greek history. Knidos, a prominent Dorian city located on the Karian Chersonese, was a significant maritime and trading power, renowned for its wine production and the sanctuary of Aphrodite. The issuance of fractional silver coinage like this Trihemiobol underscores Knidos's robust economic activity and its role in facilitating daily commerce and broader Mediterranean trade networks. This period predates the Persian Wars, marking a time of increasing prosperity and the flourishing of distinct city-state identities across the Hellenic world, with coinage serving as a powerful emblem of civic autonomy and economic strength.

Artistry: The artistry of this Trihemiobol is characteristic of the Archaic Greek stylistic school, emphasizing strong, symbolic representations rather than naturalistic detail. While the specific engraver remains anonymous, typical for coins of this antiquity, the design adheres to Knidian iconography. The obverse almost certainly features the iconic lion protome (forepart of a lion), a powerful symbol associated with the city, depicted with robust features, often facing right with an open mouth and prominent mane. The reverse, given the coin's small size, would likely present a simplified design, perhaps a geometric pattern or a stylized head of Aphrodite, reflecting the city's patron deity. The execution, though simplified, would convey the strength and symbolic importance of the chosen motif.

Technical/Grading: Weighing 2.07 grams and measuring 12.0 millimeters, this silver Trihemiobol represents a standard fractional denomination for Knidos at the time. For assessing strike quality, high-points on the obverse lion protome would include the muzzle, eye, and the raised ridges of the mane. A well-struck example would exhibit clear definition in these areas, despite the small flan size. Technical strike qualities often vary in Archaic fractional coinage; however, a superior example would show good centering, with the lion's features largely contained within the flan and minimal flatness. The silver purity would be consistently high, typical of Greek issues, contributing to the coin's excellent preservation potential.