Kyzikos, Mysia — Silver Obol, Boar & Lion, c. 525-475 BC

Struck at Kyzikos in Mysia, c. 525–475 BC — a piece of archaic silver from the

first century of coinage itself. Kyzikos sat on the Propontis at the mouth of

the Black Sea trade routes and grew rich on the great tunny migrations through

the straits; the tunny fish rising behind the boar's forepart on the obverse is

the city's badge, its signature on every coin it struck.

The coin carries no inscription — none was needed. The reverse shows the head

of a roaring lion left, mane bristling and jaws open, set within the shallow

incuse square left by the punch that struck it: the unmistakable fingerprint of

archaic Greek minting.

Attribution: SNG France 369-372

Mint: Kyzikos, Mysia

Weight: 1.21 g

Diameter: 8.71 mm

Catalogued in the NumisLens cabinet — NL-AHZ3K-7Z4N3