HGC Plate Coin

347, Lot: 201. Estimate $100. Sold for $380. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PONTOS, Amisos. Circa 85-65 BC. Æ (28mm, 19.42 g, 12h). Struck under Mithradates VI. Helmeted head of Athena right / Perseus standing facing, holding [harpa] and head of Medusa; body of Medusa at feet, monograms to left and right. Malloy 16r; HGC 7, 238 (this coin illustrated). Near VF, brown patina, adjustment marks.

Ex Jörg Müller Collection (Classical Numismatic Group Electronic Auction 221, 28 October 2009), lot 390; G. Hirsch 181 (22 February 1994), lot 202.

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.