Chalkous 350 BC

350 BC year


Copper	1.06 g	11 mm

Description

Issuer	Plakia (Mysia)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Year	350 BC
Value	Chalkon (1⁄48)
Currency	Drachm
Composition	Copper
Weight	1.06 g
Diameter	11 mm
Shape	Round (irregular)
Technique	Hammered
Demonetized	Yes
Updated	2024-10-10

References

Numista	N#84425
Rarity index	94%

Reverse

Lion's head, mouth open, on the right; in the upper field, the city's ethnic symbol. Automatically translated

Lettering: ΡΛΑΚΙΑ

Edge

Rough

Comment

The city of Plakia, not far from Kyzikos (Cyzique), is relatively unknown. One of its few mentions in historical sources is made by Herodotus in his Histories, when he recounts the origins of the Pelasgians (Pelasges), the people who preceded the Hellenes in mainland Greece. According to him, this people emigrated from Thessaly to found colonies on the Hellespont, at Plakia and Skylaké. Herodotus points out that the Placians (the name given to the inhabitants of Plakia) were distinguished from the other inhabitants of the region by the use of their own language, described as barbaric.

Source: Herodotus, Histories, I, LVII Automatically translated

This is an automatic translation. The original text is:

La cité de Plakia, située non loin de Kyzikos (Cyzique), est assez méconnue. L'une de ses rares mentions dans les sources historiques est faite par Hérodote dans ses Histoires, alors qu'il revient sur les origines des Pélasgiens (Pélasges), peuple qui précéda les Hellènes en Grèce continentale. Selon lui, ce peuple aurait émigré de Thessalie pour fonder des colonies sur l'Hellespont, à Plakia et à Skylaké. Hérodote fait remarquer que les Placianes (nom des habitants de Plakia) se distinguaient des autres habitants de la région par l'usage d'une langue propre, qualifiée de barbare.

Source : Hérodote, Histoires, I, LVII

Interesting fact

The Chalkous coin features a unique design on its obverse side, depicting a helmeted head of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, and crafts. This design was a common motif in ancient Greek coinage and symbolized the importance of Athena in Greek mythology and culture.