Ancient Greek Silver Diobol — Lampsakos, Mysia
Authentic ancient silver • Classical-era civic issue • Collector-friendly attribution (SNG France 1182)
AR Silver
Diobol (⅓ Drachm)
400–201 BC
11 mm • 1.41 g
🧾 Coin Details
King
Civic issue (city-state coinage)
Type
Standard circulation coin
🎨 Design & Description
Obverse
Janiform female heads, each wearing stephanos, with one central earring.
Reverse
Head of Athena right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet.
Legend
None noted for the type
Translation of Legend
N/A
💎 Rarity Details
Numista lists this type with a high rarity index among member collections, and it is a desirable civic issue with strong classical artistry (Janiform heads / Athena).
🧪 Condition & Grade
Visual assessment:
- Solid ancient strike on an irregular flan; attractive dark tone.
- Devices remain visible with honest circulation wear.
- Typical ancient surface marks; no modern polishing shine.
- Edges appear natural for hammered Greek silver.
Recommended grade (collector-oriented, NGC Ancients style):
Fine to Very Fine (F/VF) overall
Authenticity: This coin is 100% authentic — guaranteed.
📚 References
SNG France #1182 • Numista N#127947
🧭 Provenance
Acquired from Numismad Auction House, Oct 2024.
🏛️ Historical Significance
Lampsakos (Lampsacus) sat on the Hellespont/Dardanelles corridor—one of antiquity’s most strategic maritime choke points connecting the Aegean world to Black Sea trade.
Civic silver like this diobol functioned as “working money” in a region shaped by commerce, war, and shifting powers during the 4th–3rd centuries BC.
The Janiform portrait style is a distinctive regional artistic choice, paired here with Athena—one of the most important deities in Greek civic identity and military symbolism.
🚚 Shipping & Returns
Next-business-day shipping for all shipments. Coin will be securely packaged in a padded envelope secured between 2 corrugated cardboard strips.
30-Day “No Questions Asked” Return Policy.
👤 About the Seller
This coin comes from my private collection. I am a U.S.-based collector of ancient coins, selling duplicate pieces from my holdings. All coins are 100% Authentic – Guaranteed.
I’ve always been fascinated to hold authentic ancient artifacts in my hands. I hope this coin brings you the same enjoyment it has brought me. Please feel free to reach out with any questions!
⭐ Call to Action
Don’t miss this chance to own a genuine silver diobol from the strategic Hellespont region of the Greek world!
🏷️ Keywords
Lampsakos • Lampsacus • Mysia • Ancient Greek • Greek silver • AR • Æ/AE (search variant) • diobol • di-obol • obol •
400 BC • 3rd century BC • Hellespont • Dardanelles • civic issue • janiform head • two-faced portrait • stephanos •
Athena • Corinthian helmet • SNG France 1182 • Numista 127947 • ancient coin • Greek fractional silver