Happy Friday! I would like to share two inexpensive ancient coins that I picked up recently. Both are from the region of Pontus, which is located in the northern part of modern-day Turkey near the Black Sea region. I have a college friend who is from the very same region, and I remembered her talking about her home city of Samsun. Both coins have an interesting mythical theme on the reverse. I like Greek and Roman myths, and I am thinking to start a small (yet inexpensive) collection into this direction. The first coin is a familiar design. I have seen similar coins posted by many Cointalk members. Mine is of a poor overall quality. Perseus’ right hand design is missing from the coin. However, I do like this one, since the most attractive feature of the coin is well presented. The Medusa head is quite sharp, and the headless body is pretty complete lying on the floor. Furthermore, the coin is from the city of Komana, which the seller says is quite rare. I am not sure if that is true or not, but I do notice most offered in the market come from the city of Amisos. Here it is my Komana coin: Komana, Pontus. Æ 29mm. Time of Mithradates VI Eupator, circa 105-90 or 90-85 BC. Obv: Helmeted head of Athena Parthenos to right; Rev: Perseus standing facing, holding harpa and severed head of Medusa, headless body at feet; KOMA-NΩN across fields, monograms to left and right. SNG BM Black Sea 1260-1; HGC 7,279. 18.00g, 29mm, 12h. The second coin is a Roman provincial, minted during the reign of Gallienus. The reverse theme shows Hercules capturing, and possibly pulling out the horns of the Ceryneian Hind. Interesting theme to me. Here is the coin: Gallienus 266 AD. Bronze coin. Sebastopolis, Pontus. Obv: AΥT KAI ΠO ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right. Rev: CЄBACTO HΡAK [ЄT] ςΞC, Hercules running left, capturing the Ceryneian Hind. 12.69g, 29.9mm You are welcome to post any coin from the region of Pontus, or any with a mythical theme reverse. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!
The Komana issues of the Perseus types are indeed rare - as you've noticed, most offerings on the market are from Amisos. Your example is absolutely NOT "of a poor overall quality." These issues are notorious for abundant flan adjustment marks, weak strikes, heavy circulation wear, and deposits. Take a look at these examples at CNG for instance. It's a damn shame since they're the only type I'm aware of that dramatically depicts the Perseus/Medusa myth, but that's the way it goes with ancient coins sometimes. I would be very pleased to have your example in my collection for its rarity alone.
Coingrats on the two new acquisitions! It's HARD not to love those Perseus and Medusa coins: And a Gorgon for good measure
Most of the coins with this design that I've seen (including mine) are, indeed, from Amisos, so this makes yours interesting. I also agree the coin is in a good overall shape for this type. Especially Medusa's facial features, better than mine. My Amisos, bought by mistake as I hit "Bid" on my phone during a live auction when I wanted to close the browser. But in the end, the price was decent and I can't say this coin doesn't fit in my collection. On mine the obverse is the weak spot but overall I am happy with it, especially after I read that the coin is NOT scratched, as initially I thought those are signs of cleaning with something very abrasive.
Very nice! That's a great Perseus/Medusa, and I really like that Hercules reverse type on the second coin. Pontos, Amisos. Time of Mithradates VI Eupator, circa 100-85 BC. (AE 21 mm, 7.20 g). Head of Ares to right, wearing crested Corinthian helmet. Rev. AMI-ΣOY Sword in sheath; star-in-crescent (Pontic royal badge) and IB across upper field; to lower left and right, monograms
Nice collection of the Perseus and Medusa coins, @Ryro. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for your additional information, John.
I remember reading about your purchase, @ambr0zie. I should say "thanks", since I learn about this coin type after reading your earlier post. Nice coins, @Bing. Thanks for sharing. Thanks for showing another Pontos coin design, @Shea19.
It's almost impossible to get one of these that has got "everything" going for it, but that is as detailed a face on Medusa's head as I've ever seen. Congrats are in order, I think! My best Medusa face is also on a Komana, but the coin is in most other ways deficient. Amisos is by far the most common mint for this type. Apart from the Athena/Perseus, Gorgoneion/Nike, and Ares/Sword types, Mithridates struck a few others as well. I have a few below, but not all. Dionysos/Cista: Perseus/Cornucopia and Pilei: Amazon in wolfskin / Nike: Perseus/Pegasos:
Haha, you're welcome. I have a lot of coins that were first seen on CT and I decided to grab an example. Here is a pic I have just taken of my Amisos, as I try to get photos of all my coins myself.
I find it interesting that each of the several cities that issued these coins had differences in style and fabric a distinct as the legends that identify the coins. They were not made all in one place and labeled differently. I do not have a Komana. Amisos Amastros Sinope
Thanks for your additional Athena/Perseus coin photos, @zumbly. Nice to see these together. Your other coins are of very nice styles. I especially like the Amazon in wolfskin. Looks very cool. Thanks for sharing the Athena/Perseus coins on various cities, Doug. Nice to see them together. I agree that the style and designs are a bit different according to cities, especially the Athena portraits.
Here's a pairing of two myths - a coin that I have had for a while, followed by a relatively new acquistion. Pontos, Amisos, AE 30 of Perseus And Henna, Sicily, 44-36 BC, AE 30 of the abduction of Persephone.
