Kyzikos (BC 550-510) Hemiobol

ca 550 BC. AR Hemiobol (0.46g, 7mm). Head of lion right, holding tunny in mouth / Irregular incuse punch.

Most probably Kyzikos - the image reminds of the early obols of Kyzikos which depict a tunny with fish in its mouth. The lion is not unknown on later coins from Kyzikos and is mostly combined with a tunny - but no other piece shows a lion holding a fish in its mouth. The drawing of the lion differs very much from these later illustrations. It may be suggested that this coin can be dated at the beginning of the coinage of Kyzikos.