Mysia. Kyzikos circa 550-450 BC.
Sixth Stater or Hekte EL

11 mm, 2,66 g

Triton reclining to left, holding wreath in raised left hand, leaning on left elbow; tunny fish to left below / Quadripartite incuse square.

Very Fine

Von Fritze 126.

The hekte coins from Mysia were typically made of electrum, an alloy of gold and silver, which was a characteristic material for coinage in this region during the Archaic and Classical periods. These coins were widely circulated and played a crucial role in trade across the Aegean Sea and beyond, reflecting the wealth and influence of Mysian cities. Kyzikos, one of the most prominent cities in Mysia, produced a vast array of hekte coins, each featuring different designs on the obverse (front) side, while the reverse generally displayed a simple quadripartite incuse square. The obverse designs are particularly varied and include mythological creatures like griffins, lions, and boars, as well as depictions of gods, goddesses, and symbols of trade and prosperity, such as tunny fish, which were abundant in the waters near Kyzikos. One of the most famous and distinctive types of hekte from Kyzikos features a boar on the obverse, often with other elements such as a lion's head or a star, reflecting the city's wealth derived from its natural resources and trade. The reverse typically has a simple geometric pattern, such as an incuse square, which was common in early Greek coinage.