249, Lot: 118. Estimate $100. Sold for $60. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PONTOS, Amisos. Circa 85-65 BC. Æ (28mm, 18.55 g, 1h). Helmeted head of Athena right / Perseus standing facing, holding harpa and head of Medusa; [body of Medusa at feet], monogram to left. SNG BM Black Sea 1176. Near VF, green patina.

From the HLT Collection.

The reverse of 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 could be representations of Mithradates VI and Rome, respectively.