v59_0020 - MISIA - CIZICA Hecté d’électrum

MYSIA – KYZIKOS / CYZICUS

(6th - 5th century BC)

Cyzicus, a colony of Miletus founded in the 8th century BC, is located on the edge of the Propontis on the island of Arktonnesos. Its political and economic situation was preponderant between Pont-Euxin and the Aegean Sea by controlling the Propontis at the outlet of the Hellespont. Coinage began at the end of the 7th century BC. An important electrum coinage was minted between 600 and 330 BC with the tuna as its symbol.