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Union University

Ryan Center for Biblical Studies

Roger Uselton Collection of Ancient and Biblical Coins

Coin Detail

AE15
  • Uselton Catalog #: 13
  • Class: Greek
  • Ruling Authority: Thrace-Mesembria ()
  • Date Struck: Ca. 450-350 B.C.
  • Type: AE15
  • Size: 15.34 mm.
  • Weight: 2.83 g.
  • Die Axis:
  • Obverse: Crested Corinthian helmet, facing.
  • Reverse: Wheel of four spokes, M-E-T-A between spokes. The “T” is probably a double-sigma.
  • Exergue:
  • References: SNG BM Black Sea 268; SNG Cop 653
  • Original #: 32(2)

Although most catalogs say the reverse features “M-E-T-A between spokes,” the T is likely a Greek variant grapheme sometimes called a sampi or disigma–a double sigma. Thus, the MESA is an abbreviation for Mesembria.