Thrace, Odessos

Greek Coinage

Thrace, Odessos

AE Unit, circa 3rd-2nd Century BC

Obverse:

Laureate head of Apollo right. Hair in formal curls, laurel wreath tied behind. Dotted border.

Reverse:

ΟΔΗΣΙΤΩΝ

Bow in bowcase and club. Bowcase left, club vertical right. Ethnic usually below or around.

References: SNG BM Black Sea 323-325; SNG Stancomb 175; HGC 3.2, 1587

Specifications:

Weight: 3.80 grams

Diameter: ∼17-18 mm

Die Axis: 12h

Metal: Bronze

Condition:

Near Very Fine. Smooth olive-green patina with lighter high points. Obverse Apollo portrait well-struck with strong relief and clear wreath detail. Dotted border visible 9-2 o’clock. Reverse type fully on flan though ethnic is weak as usual for the issue. Minor flan crack at 11 o’clock, stable and not detracting. No corrosion.

Note:

Odessos was a prosperous Milesian colony on the Black Sea coast. This “bowcase and club” type references Herakles and was a standard bronze issue of the city in the Hellenistic period. The types are much scarcer than the Great God/horseman bronzes and are popular with Black Sea collectors. The portrait style is fine and the green patina is typical of coins from this region.

Provenance:

From a private Florida collection.