Pontos, Amisos. Perseus With Decapitated Medusa

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Author	Replies: 6 / Views: 4,826
ThisIsFun Pillar of the Community United States 2480 Posts	Posted 02/13/2014 4:33 pm So this has been on my want list for several months... There are many to be found at any point in time but like COL-NEMs, they all have one problem or another. I wanted one that showed the entire body of both Perseus and the slain Medusa, a clearly visible head in Perseus's hand, and gushing blood . I've bid and failed on a few before it but that's OK because I like this one better than the others I've come across recently. This is the second of the two coins I got from Pecunem in their last auction, and I won't be posting any more new purchases until I receive the superduperultradeluxe coin that has put me on the wagon for the next... who knows how many months. PONTOS, Amisos 85-65 BC AE28, 18.5 gm Obv: Helmeted head of Athena right. Rev: AMIÎ£OY; Perseus standing facing, holding harpa and head of Medusa, Medusa's body at his feet. Ref: SNG Stancomb 683 var. (no monogram to right). [I cannot verify this reference and suspect it may not be correct because there are monograms both left and right. Looks like Sear 3637 fits though] Brief history of the scene depicted on the reverse, lifted from CNG's archives: Quote: 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. Report this Post to the Staff

dwayne8625 Pillar of the Community United States 582 Posts	Posted 02/13/2014 5:08 pm Awesome reverse Report this Post to the Staff
echizento Moderator United States 23731 Posts	Posted 02/13/2014 5:11 pm Beautiful beefy coin, great detail. Report this Post to the Staff
chrsmat71 Pillar of the Community United States 4981 Posts	Posted 02/13/2014 9:59 pm how delightfully gory! nice color and some sharp details. Report this Post to the Staff
pishpash Pillar of the Community United Kingdom 3626 Posts	Posted 02/14/2014 04:12 am That is such a cool coin! Report this Post to the Staff
Ancientnoob Pillar of the Community United States 5155 Posts	Posted 02/15/2014 9:08 pm Very nice example of a sought after type. Nice find. Report this Post to the Staff
Ancientnoob Pillar of the Community United States 5155 Posts	Posted 02/18/2014 9:32 pm BTW - You can very easily develop a soft spot for Mithradates VI coinage. His coins have their own distinct look. He was probably the last Great Greek King. This tet was struck in Odessos, Thrace, also part of the Pontic Kingdom. Struck 83 BC. Bust of Mithridataes VI of Pontos as Alexander The Great as Hercules... Edited by Ancientnoob 02/18/2014 9:34 pm Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 6 / Views: 4,826

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