I obtained a siglos from Peiraeeus in Pontos, or for most people, the name "Amisos" is more familiar. Pontos, Peiraeeus (Amisos) AR Siglos (435–370 B.C.). Obverse: Head of Hera left, wearing stephane, earring, and necklace. Reverse: Owl standing facing on shield, with wings spread; AΓ and anchor - K across inner field, ΠEIPA in exergue. 5.66g What I find the most interesting is that the reverse of the coin has a big anchor on it. As far as I know this anchor is a magistrate symbol, also another magistrate symbol with a K is visible and the two letters "AΓ", probably letters from the magistrates name. However, I can find nowhere on the internet a similar coin with an anchor and the two letters "AΓ". In fact, very few examples are found with an anchor symbol, I think it is quite rare. The fact it is a Siglos and not a drachm is because it was under Persian control and therefore it used the Persic standard. After Alexander the Great liberated Peiraeeus, it started to issue drachms of Rhodian standard. Regarding the history of the city. The city was next to Sinope colonized at around 564 BC. Ancient authors state two possibilities: a Milesian foundation, or a joint foundation by Phocaea and Miletos. The city was captured by the Persians in 550 BC and became part of a satrapy. In the middle of the fifth century it was recolonized by Athens and its name changed to Peiraeeus, it also became one of the members of the Delian League. The Greek settlers in both Sinope and Peiraeeus (Amisos) had to deal with the indigenous people from the beginning of their colonial activities, since their survival depended on access to the native territory to obtain agricultural products, minerals and metals. The presence of local pottery in Peiraeeus (Amisos) suggests that the native Kappadocians formed a part of the population there. In 386 BC it came under Persian control, however soon after this came the liberation by Alexander the Great. After the death of Alexander in 323 BC and the creation of the Hellenic kingdoms, Mithradates I declared east Pontos independent and in 302 BC he established the kingdom of Pontos. Post your siglos/drachms from Peiraeeus (Amisos) and Sinope! Especially the Sinope style is amazing with the eagle flying a dolphin.
PAPHLAGONIA, Sinope. Circa 410-350 BC. AR Drachm (5.9 gm, 5h, 21mm). Obv: Head of nymph left, hair in sakkos. Rev:Sea eagle on dolphin left. Aramaic legend on reverse? Barbaric imitation? Good silver and weight. Sear Greek 3698 (var)?
[PONTOS, Amisos. Late 5th-4th century BC. AR Siglos – Drachm (22mm, 5.5 gm, 6h). Obv: Head of Hera left, wearing ornate polos. Rev: Eagle with spread wings standing facing on shield; grain ear(?) to outer left, sword in sheath to outer right, AP-IΣ (magistrate) across field, ΠEIPA below. Malloy 1m; RG 1; SNG BM Black Sea 1054 var. (kerykeion to outer left); SNG Copenhagen 121; SNG von Aulock –; HGC 7, 229.
When I bought mine, I had not yet learned there should be a legend under the owl. Had I known that then, I doubt I would have bought the coin. Centering is not something to be assumed with these. When I bought my Sinope long ago, I felt lucky to find one even with a test cut and headless critters. Well centered examples with all four letters and no test cut get a bit pricey. Before you laugh at mine, check out how many cut coins are in the link below. I would like the heads and legends, though. https://www.cngcoins.com/Search.asp...R_TYPE_ID_2=1&SEARCH_IN_CONTAINER_TYPE_ID_4=1
