Message:

<p>[QUOTE=&quot;happy_collector, post: 7965185, member: 100070&quot;]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. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>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:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1381015[/ATTACH] </p><p>Komana, Pontus. Æ 29mm.</p><p>Time of Mithradates VI Eupator, circa 105-90 or 90-85 BC.</p><p>Obv: Helmeted head of Athena Parthenos to right;</p><p>Rev: Perseus standing facing, holding harpa and severed head of Medusa, headless body at feet; KOMA-NΩN across fields, monograms to left and right.</p><p>SNG BM Black Sea 1260-1; HGC 7,279.</p><p>18.00g, 29mm, 12h.</p><p><br /></p><p>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:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]1381016[/ATTACH]</p><p>Gallienus 266 AD. Bronze coin.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>Sebastopolis, Pontus.</p><p>Obv: AΥT KAI ΠO ΛIK ΓAΛΛIHNOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right.</p><p>Rev: CЄBACTO HΡAK [ЄT] ςΞC, Hercules running left, capturing the Ceryneian Hind.</p><p>12.69g, 29.9mm</p><p><br /></p><p>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!&nbsp; <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie1" alt=":)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

Your name or email address:

Do you already have an account?

• No, create an account now.
• Yes, my password is:
• Forgot your password?

Stay logged in