PONTOS, Amisos. Time of Mithradates VI Eupator. Circa 85-65 BC. Æ 31mm (18.13 g, 1h). Helmeted head of Athena right / AMI-ΣOY, Perseus standing facing, holding head of Medusa in left hand and harpa in right hand; body of Medusa at feet, monograms at each side. SNG BM Black Sea 1166-8; SNG Copenhagen 137. Good VF, brown patina. An exceptional example.
Ex Fredrich Popken Collection.
This coin depicts two figures from the legend of Medusa, who was once a beautiful young maiden who dared to challenge Athena's beauty. As punishment for her impiety, Medusa’s hair was turned into hissing serpents and condemned to turn every living thing which gazed upon her to turn to stone. Perseus, son of Zeus and the mortal Danae, was given the task of slaying this monster. He was aided, in part, by Athena who gave her shield to him for the task. In the context of the period which this coin is from, Perseus and Medusa would be representations of Mithradates VI and Rome, respectively.
