Sale: Triton VI, Lot: 554. Estimate $4000.  Closing Date: Monday, 13 January 2003.  Sold For $5000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

THRACE, Perinthos. Homonoia with Kyzikos. Gordian III. 238-244 AD. Æ Medallion of 12 Assaria (35.07 gm). AVT K M ANT GORDIANOC AUG, laureate and cuirassed bust right, gorgoneion on front of cuirass / PERINQIWN DIC NEOK-ORWN, OMO/NOI/A, KUZIKHN/WN in exergue, Kore of Kyzikos standing left, holding staff and presenting grain ears as offering over flaming altar; Tyche of Perinthos standing right, holding cornucopiae, and pouring offering from phiale. Franke-Nollé 1721 (one example cited, in Brunswick; another was in Classical Numismatic Group 49 (17 March, 1999), lot 932). EF, smooth dark green patina with touches of red. ($4000) 

The homonoia between two cities of the Greek world proclaimed an "agreement" or commonality of interests, almost like the "sister-city" arrangements between modern cities. While the Leagues of Greek cities were primarily military alliances, a homonoia was a union based on political, economic and religious connections, although the mutual defence agreement between certain cities in Magna Graeca and Sicily was sometimes termed a homonoia (see the Krimissan Alliance hemidrachm, lot 99). The cities of Asia Minor preserved this tradition under the Romans, with an extensive interlinked system of alliances. The earliest coins marking these agreements appear under Domitian, but the majority come later, dating from the Severan period until the end of provincial coinage in the late 3rd century. Ephesos seems to have been the most sought after party to these unions, a popularity undoubtedly associated with its status as the principal cult center of Artemis. Pergamon was the political nexus of Asia Minor, and also appears frequently among the unions. The eminence of Kyzikos is surely due to its traditional role as the economic powerhouse of the Propontis, dominating the trade routes between Asia, Greece, and the Black Sea littoral. Perinthos is a mere 75 kilometers away, directly north on the Thracian shore of the Propontis, and was likely a frequent trading partner of Kyzikos.