Bithynia Kalchedon Silver Drachm Bull Coin | 367-340 BC

About this piece

Bithynia, Kalchedon
Circa 367–340 BCE
Denomination: Silver Drachm
Mint: Kalchedon (Chalcedon), Bithynia (Modern-day Istanbul, Turkey)

• Weight: 3.64 g
• Diameter: 14 mm
• Reference: SNG BM Black Sea 101–104; SNG Copenhagen 348
• Grade: Fine / Very Fine (F/VF)

Obverse: Bull standing left on an ear of grain (corn). To the left field, a kerykeion (caduceus) and a control monogram. The ethnic Greek letters KAΛX (Kalch) are visible above the bull. Reverse: A primitive, geometric quadripartite incuse square divided into four distinct quarters, completely filled with a dense, raised granulated (stippled) texture. Numismatic Notes & Historical Context:

• The "City of the Blind": Kalchedon was founded by Greek colonists directly across the Bosporus strait from Byzantium. The famous Persian general Megabazus mockingly called it the "City of the Blind" because its founders completely overlooked the vastly superior strategic harbor across the water, choosing this spot instead.
• The Unique Reverse: To the untrained eye, the highly textured reverse look like environmental corrosion or a modern casting error. In reality, this highly distinct "stippled" grain texture was hand-engraved right into the ancient mint's iron reverse dies—serving as an early security measure against ancient counterfeiters.
• Condition & Appeal: The coin is beautifully struck on a solid, thick silver flan following the Rhodian monetary standard. It displays deep, honest cabinet toning that frames the ancient geometries of the reverse side beautifully.