Mysia, Kyzikos Hemiobol Ca. 550-500 BC

A very rare silver hemiobol of Kyzikos, struck in the 6th century BC, featuring two tunny-fish heads facing in opposite directions. Published in Rosen’s collection catalogue (no. 518), the type is absent from the major references.

Mysia, Kyzikos.
Ca. 550-500 BC.
Hemiobol (Silver, 8.84 mm, 0.34 g).

Obv: Head of a tunny to right above head of a tunny to left.
Rev: Quadripartite incuse square.

Reference: Rosen 518. SNG von Aulock -. SNG Paris -. Von Fritze -. Very rare.

Situated on the southern shore of the Sea of Marmara, Kyzikos owed much of its prosperity to maritime trade and fishing. The tunny fish became its enduring numismatic signature, appearing on both electrum and silver coinage. Here, the paired heads occupy the entire obverse, while the quadripartite incuse reverse preserves the characteristic appearance of archaic coinage: a miniature expression of the city’s close relationship with the sea.

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