© Tiber Numismatics
© Tiber Numismatics
Æ19 250 BC - 175 BC
| Bronze | 5.9 g | 19.5 mm |
| Issuer | Mesembria (Thrace) |
|---|---|
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 250 BC - 175 BC |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Bronze |
| Weight | 5.9 g |
| Diameter | 19.5 mm |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-10 |
| Numista | N#151865 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 85% |
Reverse
Athena Alkidemos walking left, wielding spear and holding shield on right arm.
Script: Greek
Lettering: METAM-BΡIANΩN
Comment
HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDMessembria was a large colony of Megara, founded around 510 BC It was located on the Black Sea, bordered by the Black Sea, north of Apollonia Pontica. Port Thrace, she welcomed refugees from Byzantium and Calchédoine during the Ionian revolt against Darius in the early fifth century BC The name of the city itself means (lunch = meshmbria in Greek). Messembria worshiped solar Apollo Megara, its metropolis. The city was conquered by the Romans in 72 BC.
Other references:
Laffaille288 - GC.1676 - BMC.12 - WSC.237 - SB.2574 - SNG. Bar377
Interesting fact
The obverse (front) side of the coin features a portrait of a bearded man, possibly a king or deity, with a distinctive hairstyle that includes a braid or ponytail. This design element is unique to coins from Mesembria and sets them apart from other ancient Greek coins.