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Hadrian AD 117-138 Drachm, Pontus: Amisus, 2.77 Grams, CY166 = AD 134/5; Obverse: ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ Π Π ΥΠ Γ; laureate head of Hadrian, r.
Reverse: ΑΜΙϹΟΥ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΑϹ ΕΤΟΥϹ ΡΞϚ; Hermes standing l., holding purse in r. hand and caduceus in l. RPC (III) - 1269

paul1888

25 Caracalla - NeocaesareaCARACALLA
AE30, Neocaesarea, Pontus
14.03 grams.
198 AD-217 AD

Youthful bust of Caracalla right / Altar in Tetrastyle Temple

BMC61 commentsSosius

Prusias II Cynegos - AENicomedia
c. 180-150 BC
head of Dionysos right wearing ivy-wreath
Centaur Chieron walking right, wearing cloak, playing lyre
BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠPOYΣIOY
(NΦ)
SNG Cop 640; BMC Pontus p. 210, 8; Rec Gen II.3 p. 225, 26; SNGvA 256 var. (monogram); HGC 7 629; SGCV II 7266
5,5g 20mmJ. B.

(503f) Cn. Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus Silver DenariusCn. Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus Silver Denarius, Sear-323, Cr-393/1a, Syd-752, RSC-Cornelia 54, struck 76-75 BC at Spanish Mint, 3.94 grams, 18 mm. EF. Obverse: GPR above Diademed, draped and bearded bust of the Genius of the Roman People facing right, sceptre over shoulder; Reverse: EX in left field, SC in right field; CN LEN Q in exergue, Sceptre with wreath, terrestrial globe and rudder. An exceptional example that is especially well centered and struck on a slightly larger flan than normally encountered with fully lustrous surfaces and a most attractive irridescent antique toning. Held back from the Superb EF/FDC by a small banker's mark in the right obverse field, but still worthy of the finest collection of Roman Republican denarii. Ex Glenn Woods.

Re: CORNELIA 54:

“Cn. Cornelius Lentulus Marcellinus may be the same moneyer whose issues have been already described (no.s 702-704). Mommsen suggested that these coins were struck in 74 B.C. as a special issue, authorized by the Senate, to defray the cost of armaments against Mithridates of Pontus and the Mediterranean pirates. But Grueber’s view that they were struck in 76 B.C. by Cn. Cornelius Lentulus acting in the capacity of quaestor of Pompey, seems more in accordance with the evidence of finds" (see: G. ii, p. 359n and The Coinage of the Roman Republic, by Edward A. Sydenham, 1976, pgs. 1).

H. A. Seaby shows the coin with the smaller head (Roman Silver Coins Vol. I, Republic to Augustus pg. 33) while David R Sear shows a coin sporting a larger version (Roman Coins and Their Values, pg. 132).

“Cn. Lentulus strikes in Spain in his capacity as quaestor to the proconsul Pompey, who had been sent to the peninsula to assist Q. Caecillus Metellus Piusagainst sertorius”(Roman Coins and Their Values, by David Sear, Vol.1, 2000, pg. 132).

This is not an imperatorial minted coin for Pompey. At the time these coins were minted the Procounsel Pompey was sent to Spain to aid in the war against Sertorius. The moneyer Cn Lentulus served as his Quaestor where he continued to mint coins for Rome.

CN = Cneaus; LEN = Lentulus

Cneaus was his first name. His last, or family name is Lentulus and this clan is a lesser clan within the Cornelii, which is what his middle name of Cornelius implies.

Q = This tells us that he was a Quaestor, or Roman magistrate with judicial powers at the time when the coin was issued, with the responsibility for the treasury. Had this been a position that he once held it would be noted on the coin as PROQ or pro [past] Questor.

For Further Reading on the Cornelia 54 & 55:

Coins of the Roman Republic in the British Museum, by H. A. Grueber. London, 1910, Vol. II, pgs. 358, 359, 52, 57

Roman Silver Coins Vol. I, Republic to Augustus, by H.A.Seaby 1952, pgs. 32-33

The Coinage of the Roman Republic, by Edward A. Sydenham, 1976, pgs. 122, 241

Roman Coins and Their Values, by David Sear, Vol.1, 2000, pg. 132, 133

Roman Republican Coinage Volume I by Michael H. Crawford 2001, pg. 407

by Jerry Edward Cornelius, April 2006, THE 81 ROMAN COINS OF THE CORNELIA
http://www.cornelius93.com/Cornelia54.html1 commentsCleisthenes

000a. L. Sulla and L. Manlius ToruatusL. Sulla and L. Manlius Torquatus. 82 BC. AR Denarius (18mm, 3.89 g, 7h). Military mint moving with Sulla. Helmeted head of Roma right / Sulla driving triumphal quadriga right, holding branch and reins, being crowned by Victory flying left. Crawford 367/5; Sydenham 757 or 757a; Manlia 4 or 5. Near VF, toned, a few light scratches on the obverse.

From the Elwood Rafn Collection.

As consul for the year 88 BC, Sulla was awarded the coveted assignment of suppressing the revolt of Mithradates VI of Pontus, but political maneuvers resulted in this assignment being transferred to Marius. In response, Sulla turned his army on Rome, captured it, and reclaimed his command against Mithradates. His prosecution of the first Mithradatic War was successful, but he spared the Pontic king for personal gain. In 83 BC, Sulla returned to Italy as an outlaw, but he was able to win the support of many of the leading Romans. Within a year, he fought his way to Rome, where he was elected dictator. It was during this campaign to Rome that this denarius was struck. The obverse type represents Sulla's claim to be acting in Rome's best interest. The reverse shows Sulla enjoying the highest honor to which a Roman could aspire: the celebration of a triumph at Rome.ecoli

001x1. Deiotaros, King of Galatia 59-40 B.C.AE25. 24.9mm, 10.539g. Obv: Bust of winged Nike right, hair in a bunch behind. Rev: Eagle standing right on a sheathed sword, wings open, head turned back left, flanked by pilei of the Dioscuri each with a star above, BAΣIΛEΩΣ above, ∆HIOTAPOV below. SNGvA 6103 (same countermark); Arslan K4; SNG BnF 2333; BMC Galatia p. 1, 1; HGC 7 774 (R2); see RPC I p. 536. A FORUM coin.

Note: [Courtesy of FORUM] Deiotarus was chief of the Celtic Tolistobogii tribe in western Galatia and became King of Galatia. He was a faithful ally of Rome against Mithridates VI of Pontus, for which he was rewarded by Pompey. Caesar pardoned him for siding with Pompey in the civil war but he was deprived of some of his dominions. After Caesar's death, Mark Antony, for a large payment, publicly announced that, in accordance with instructions left by Caesar, Deiotarus was to resume possession of all the territory of which he had been deprived. When civil war broke out again, Deiotarus supported the anti-Caesarian party of Brutus and Cassius, but after the Battle of Philippi in 42 B.C., he went over to the triumvirs. He retained his kingdom until his death at a very advanced age in 42 to 40 BC. He provided a legion to the Roman army, which lived on as the Legio XXII Deiotariana, founded ca. 48 BC and disbanded or destroyed during the Bar Kokhba revolt of 132–136.

A FORUM coinlawrence c

002a, Aigina, Islands off Attica, Greece, c. 510 - 490 B.C.Silver stater, S 1849, SNG Cop 503, F, 12.231g, 22.3mm, Aigina (Aegina) mint, c. 510 - 490 B.C.; Obverse: sea turtle (with row of dots down the middle); Reverse: incuse square of “Union Jack” pattern; banker's mark obverse. Ex FORVM.

Greek Turtles, by Gary T. Anderson

Turtles, the archaic currency of Aegina, are among the most sought after of all ancient coins. Their early history is somewhat of a mystery. At one time historians debated whether they or the issuances of Lydia were the world's earliest coins. The source of this idea comes indirectly from the writings of Heracleides of Pontus, a fourth century BC Greek scholar. In the treatise Etymologicum, Orion quotes Heracleides as claiming that King Pheidon of Argos, who died no later than 650 BC, was the first to strike coins at Aegina. However, archeological investigations date the earliest turtles to about 550 BC, and historians now believe that this is when the first of these intriguing coins were stamped.

Aegina is a small, mountainous island in the Saronikon Gulf, about midway between Attica and the Peloponnese. In the sixth century BC it was perhaps the foremost of the Greek maritime powers, with trade routes throughout the eastern half of the Mediterranean. It is through contacts with Greeks in Asia Minor that the idea of coinage was probably introduced to Aegina. Either the Lydians or Greeks along the coast of present day Turkey were most likely the first to produce coins, back in the late seventh century. These consisted of lumps of a metal called electrum (a mixture of gold and silver) stamped with an official impression to guarantee the coin was of a certain weight. Aegina picked up on this idea and improved upon it by stamping coins of (relatively) pure silver instead electrum, which contained varying proportions of gold and silver. The image stamped on the coin of the mighty sea power was that of a sea turtle, an animal that was plentiful in the Aegean Sea. While rival cities of Athens and Corinth would soon begin limited manufacture of coins, it is the turtle that became the dominant currency of southern Greece. The reason for this is the shear number of coins produced, estimated to be ten thousand yearly for nearly seventy years. The source for the metal came from the rich silver mines of Siphnos, an island in the Aegean. Although Aegina was a formidable trading nation, the coins seemed to have meant for local use, as few have been found outside the Cyclades and Crete. So powerful was their lure, however, that an old proverb states, "Courage and wisdom are overcome by Turtles."

The Aeginean turtle bore a close likeness to that of its live counterpart, with a series of dots running down the center of its shell. The reverse of the coin bore the imprint of the punch used to force the face of the coin into the obverse turtle die. Originally this consisted of an eight-pronged punch that produced a pattern of eight triangles. Later, other variations on this were tried. In 480 BC, the coin received its first major redesign. Two extra pellets were added to the shell near the head of the turtle, a design not seen in nature. Also, the reverse punch mark was given a lopsided design.

Although turtles were produced in great quantities from 550 - 480 BC, after this time production dramatically declines. This may be due to the exhaustion of the silver mines on Siphnos, or it may be related to another historical event. In 480 BC, Aegina's archrival Athens defeated Xerxes and his Persian armies at Marathon. After this, it was Athens that became the predominant power in the region. Aegina and Athens fought a series of wars until 457 BC, when Aegina was conquered by its foe and stripped of its maritime rights. At this time the coin of Aegina changed its image from that of the sea turtle to that of the land tortoise, symbolizing its change in fortunes.

The Turtle was an object of desire in ancient times and has become so once again. It was the first coin produced in Europe, and was produced in such great quantities that thousands of Turtles still exist today. Their historical importance and ready availability make them one of the most desirable items in any ancient coin enthusiast's collection.

(Greek Turtles, by Gary T. Anderson .1 commentsCleisthenes

027a04. CaracallaAE31. Zela, Pontus. 205-206 AD. 30.7mm, 14.42 g. Obv: AY KAI AVΡ ANTΩNEINOC, laureate head right. Rev: ZHΛITΩN TOY ΠONTOY, year mark ET PMB in ex. (year 142 of the local era) hexastyle temple with Corinthian columns, the gable of which is divided into three components, dot in central pediment.
BMC Pontus p. 41, 3 var. A FORUM coin.lawrence c

036b04. TranquillinaCius, Bithynia.
Bronze AE 23, RPC Online VII.2 1880; Rec Gén I.2 111, pl. LIII, 4; BMC Pontus p. 135, 46; SNG Cop 397; SNG Hunter 1069; SNG Verona 1352; 6.976g, 23.3mm, die axis 180o, May 241 - 25 Feb 244 A.D.; obverse CABEI TPANKYΛΛEINA, draped bust right, wearing stephane; reverse KIANΩN, two goats rearing facing one another, amphora between them. A FORUM coin.
1 commentslawrence c

044 - Hadrian Drachm - Pontos, AmisosSilver drachm
Obv:- AVT KAI TPA ADPIANOC CEB P P VP G, Laureate bust left
Rev:- AMICOV ELEVQEPA-C ETOVC PXE, Demeter standing left holding corn ears & branched staff
Pontos, Amisos. Dated Year 166 of Amisos = 133-134 AD.
References:- cf SGI 1139, cf SNGvA 80. BMC Greek, pg. 22 Pontus 91. J.H. Nordbo, Imperial Silver Coinage of Amisus, 131/2-137/8 AD, Studies...Thomsen, p. 168, Year 166=133/4 AD, specimens 102-1131 commentsmaridvnvm

053p Geta (209-211 A.D.), Bithynia, Juliopolis, BMC Pontus, Paphlagonia, Bithynia p. 150, #7 (but smaller, AE-24), AE-27, IOVΛIO ΠOΛЄITΩN, Hygeia standing right, Rare! #1053p Geta (209-211 A.D.), Bithynia, Juliopolis, BMC Pontus, Paphlagonia, Bithynia p. 150, #7 (but smaller, AE-24), AE-27, IOVΛIO ΠOΛЄITΩN, Hygeia standing right, Rare! #1
avers: Π CЄΠ ΓЄTAC K, Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust younger Geta right.
revers: IOVΛIO Π OΛЄITΩN, Hygeia standing right, feeding serpent held in arms from patera.
exergue: -/-//--, diameter: 27,0-28,0mm, weight: 13,83g, axis: 6h,
mint: Bithynia, Juliopolis, date: 198-209 A.D.,
ref: in "ISEGRIM" (thank you "shanxi")
1. 24.13mm Waddington, Recueil General page 389 #29, BMC Pontus, Paphlagonia, Bithynia p. 150, #7
2. 21mm Waddington, Recueil General page 389 #29 COLL WIEN
Q-001quadrans

1002 BITHYNIA Koinon of Bithynia Hadrian, Octastyle templeReference.
Waddington, RG pg. 241, 41; BMC Pontus -; SNG Copenhagen -; RPC III 1002/6

Issue I. 4

Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙС ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС СΕΒ
Laureate head of Hadrian, right

Rev. ΚΟΙ-ΝΟΝ ΒΕΙΘΥΝΙΑС
Octastyle temple on podium of two steps; in pediment, Globe

26.90 gr
36 mm
6hokidoki

1009B BITHYNIA Koinon of Bithynia Hadrian Octastyle templeReference.
RPC III, 1009B/4; SNG Bar 665; BMC Pontus, p. 106, 14; Rec Gen I.2 p. 241, 43

Issue I. 5

Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙϹ ΤΡΑΙ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ
Laureate head of Hadrian, right

Rev. ΚΟΙ-ΝΟΝ ΒΕΙΘΥΝΙΑϹ
Octastyle temple on podium of two steps; in pediment, wolf and twins; Nikai on the roof, l. and r.

21.91 gr
34.5 mm
6h

Note.
Forum coin2 commentsokidoki

1247 PONTUS, Amisus Hadrian Didrachm 131-32 AD TycheReference.
RPC III, 1247; BMC Pontus 85

Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС СΕΒ Π Π ΥΠ Γ
Draped and laureate bust of Hadrian, r., seen from rear

Rev. ΑΜΙСΟΥ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΑС ΕΤΟΥС ΡΞΓ (Year 163 (ΡΞΓ Date 131/2)
Turreted Tyche seated l., r. resting on rudder on head, left, holding cornucopia on left arm.

5.44 gr
23 mm
6hokidoki

1249 PONTUS, Amisus Hadrian Drachm 131-32 AD Athena Reference.
RPC III, 1249; SNG Copenhagen 178

Issue Year 163 (ΡΞΓ)

Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС СΕΒ Π Π ΥΠ Γ
Draped and laureate bust of Hadrian, r., seen from rear.

Rev. ΑΜΙСΟΥ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΑС ΕΤΟΥС ΡΞΓ
Athena standing facing, head l., holding Nike on extended r. hand, l. resting on shield.

2.80 gr
18 mm
6h

Note.
Ex NAC Auktion 78, 2014, Nr. 2239.okidoki

1250 PONTUS, Amisus Hadrian Drachm 131-32 AD AthenaReference.
RPC III, 1250; SNG Copenhagen 178; Rec. 80, Nordbø 1c, 36-62

Issue Year 163 (ΡΞΓ)

Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС СΕΒ Π Π ΥΠ Γ
laureate head of Hadrian, right with drapery on l. shoulder

Rev. ΑΜΙСΟΥ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΑС ΕΤΟΥС ΡΞΓ
Athena standing facing, head l., holding Nike on extended r. hand, l. resting on shield.

3.0 gr
18 mm
6hokidoki

1252 PONTUS, Amisus Hadrian Drachm 132-33 AD Capricorn Reference.
RPC III, 1252; BMC Pontus 89 Pag. 22; SNG von Aulock 6740; Waddington, RG pg. 62, 83

Issue Year 164 ΡΞΔ

Obv. AVT KAI TPA ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟCCEBΠΠVΠΓ
Laureate head right drapery on left shoulder (or aegis?)

Rev. AMICOY ELEYQH-PAC ETOVC, ΡΞΔ below
Capricorn right, with globe between legs, cornucopiae.

2.75 gr
18 mm
6h3 commentsokidoki

1256 PONTUS, Amisus Hadrian Drachm 133-34 AD Demeter Reference.
RPC III, 1256; Rec. 86, Nordbø 3c, 102–13

Issue Year 165 (ΡΞΕ)

Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟϹ ϹΕΒ Π Π ΥΠ Γ
Laureate head of Hadrian, left

Rev. ΑΜΙϹΟΥ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΑϹ ΕΤΟΥϹ ΡΞΕ
Demeter veiled standing facing, head l., holding ears of corn in r. hand, l. resting on torch

2.70 gr
18 mm
6h2 commentsokidoki

1273 PONTUS, Amisus Sabina Drachm 135-36 AD Hermes Reference.
RPC 3, 1273; (Waddington) Rec. 100, Nordbø 4c, 152-60

Issue Year 166 (PΞΣ)

Obv. СΑΒΕΙΝΑ СΕΒΑСΤΗ
Diademed and draped bust of Sabina, r., hair falling in plait down neck.

Rev. ΑΜΙСΟΥ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΑС ΕΤΟΥС ΡΞϚ
Hermes standing l., holding purse in r. hand and caduceus down in l.

3.07 gr
21 mm
h2 commentsokidoki

1289 PONTUS, Amisus Hadrian Drachm 136-37 AD Demeter Reference.
RPC III 1289; Rec 95, Nordbø 6c, 186-93 corr.

Issue Year 168 (PΞH)

Obv. ΑΥΤ ΚΑΙ ΤΡΑ ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟС СΕΒ Π Π ΥΠ Γ
Bare head of Hadrian, r.

Rev. ΑΜΙСΟΥ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΑС ΕΤΟΥС ΡΞΗ
Demeter standing l., holding patera in r. hand, l. resting on torch

2.89 gr
19 mm
6h2 commentsokidoki

198Caracalla 198-217 AD
AE 30mm
Neocaesarea in Pontus
Tetrastyle temple with internal brick structure visible and statue on pedestal
Rec Gen 22mauseus

1ar Nero54-68

As

Bare head, right, IMP NERO CAESAR AVG P MAX TR P P P
Genius, GENIO AVGVSTI

RIC 86

Suetonius wrote: Nero was born nine months after the death of Tiberius, at Antium, at sunrise on the 15th of December (AD 37). . . . While he was still a young stripling he took part in a successful performance of the Troy Game in the Circus, in which he exhibited great self-possession. At the age of twelve or so (sometime in AD 50), he was adopted by Claudius, who appointed Annaeus Seneca, already a member of the Senate, as his tutor. The following night, it is said, Seneca dreamed that his young charge was really Caligula, and Nero soon proved the dream prophetic by seizing the first opportunity to reveal his cruel disposition. . . . After Claudius’s death (AD 54) had been announced publicly, Nero, who was not quite seventeen years old, decided to address the Guards in the late afternoon, since inauspicious omens that day had ruled out an earlier appearance. After being acclaimed Emperor on the Palace steps, he was carried in a litter to the Praetorian Camp where he spoke to the Guards, and then to the House where he stayed until evening. He refused only one of the many honours that were heaped upon him, that of ‘Father of the Country’, and declined that simply on account of his youth.

Eutropius summarized: To him succeeded NERO, who greatly resembled his uncle Caligula, and both disgraced and weakened the Roman empire; he indulged in such extraordinary luxury and extravagance, that, after the example of Caius Caligula, he even bathed in hot and cold perfumes, and fished with golden nets, which he drew up with cords of purple silk. He put to death a very great number of the senate. To all good men he was an enemy. At last he exposed himself in so disgraceful a manner, that he danced and sung upon the stage in the dress of a harp-player and tragedian. He was guilty of many murders, his brother, wife, and mother, being put to death by him. He set on fire the city of Rome, that he might enjoy the sight of a spectacle such as Troy formerly presented when taken and burned.

In military affairs he attempted nothing. Britain he almost lost; for two of its most noble towns4 were taken and levelled to the ground under his reign. The Parthians took from him Armenia, and compelled the Roman legions to pass under the yoke. Two provinces however were formed under him; Pontus Polemoniacus, by the concession of King Polemon; and the Cottian Alps, on the death of King Cottius.

15 When, having become detestable by such conduct to the city of Rome, and being deserted at the same time by every one, and declared an enemy by the senate, he was sought for to be led to punishment (the punishment being, that he should be dragged naked through the streets, with a fork placed under his head,5 be beaten to death with rods, and then hurled from the Tarpeian rock), he fled from the palace, and killed himself in a suburban villa of one of his freed-men, between the Salarian and Nomentane roads, at the fourth milestone from the city. He built those hot baths at Rome, which were formerly called the Neronian, but now the Alexandrian. He died in the thirty-second year of his age, and the fourteenth year of his reign; and in him all the family of Augustus became extinct.

Having successfully dispatched his scheming mother Agrippina in 59 and survived a decade on the throne, Nero must have felt like a genius when this was minted ca 64 AD!1 commentsBlindado

1cy Gallienus253-268

Bronze antoninianus

Radiate, draped bust, right, GALLINVS AVG
Mars standing left, holding globe in right hand and spear in left hand, P in right field, VIRTVS AVG

RIC 317

Gallienus oversaw a period of disintegration of the empire and lost control over the East, Gaul, Spain, and Britain.

Zosimus observed: [When Valerian left for the East] As the Germans were the most troublesome enemies, and harrassed the Gauls in the vicinity of the Rhine, Gallienus marched against them in person, leaving his officers to repel with the forces under their command any others that should enter Italy, Illyricum, and Greece. With these designs, he possessed himself of and defended the passages of the Rhine, at one time preventing their crossing, and at another engaging them as soon as they had crossed it. But having only a small force to resist an immense number, he was at a loss how to act, and thought to secure himself by a league with one of the German princes. He thus not only prevented the other Barbarians from so frequently passing the Rhine, but obstructed the access of auxiliaries.

Eutropius recorded: Gallienus, who was made emperor when quite a young man, exercised his power at first happily, afterwards fairly, and at last mischievously. In his youth he performed many gallant acts in Gaul and Illyricum, killing Ingenuus, who had assumed the purple, at Mursa, and Regalianus. He was then for a long time quiet and gentle; afterwards, abandoning himself to all manner of licentiousness, he relaxed the reins of government with disgraceful inactivity and carelesness. The Alemanni, having laid waste Gaul, penetrated into Italy. Dacia, which had been added to the empire beyond the Danube, was lost. Greece, Macedonia, Pontus, Asia, were devastated by the Goths. Pannonia was depopulated by the Sarmatians and Quadi. The Germans made their way as far as Spain, and took the noble city of Tarraco. The Parthians, after taking possession of Mesopotamia, began to bring Syria under their power.

Zosimus resumes: Gallienus in the mean time still continued beyond the Alps, intent on the German war, while the Senate, seeing Rome in such imminent danger, armed all the soldiers that were in the city, and the strongest of the common people, and formed an army, which exceeded the Barbarians in number. This so alarmed the Barbarians, that they left Rome, but ravaged all the rest of Italy. At this period, when Illyricum groaned under the oppression of the Barbarians, and the whole Roman empire was in such a helpless state as to be on the very verge of ruin, a plague happened to break out in several of the towns, more dreadful than any that had preceded it. The miseries inflicted on them by the Barbarians were thus alleviated, even the sick esteeming themselves fortunate. The cities that had been taken by the Scythians were thus deserted.

Gallienus, being disturbed by these occurrences, was returning to Rome to relieve Italy from the war which the Scythians were thus carrying on. It was at this time, that Cecrops, a Moor, Aureolus and Antoninus, with many others, conspired against him, of whom the greater part were punished and submitted. Aureolus alone retained his animosity against the emperor.

The Scythians, who had dreadfully afflicted the whole of Greece, had now taken Athens, when Gallienus advanced against those who were already in possession of Thrace, and ordered Odonathus of Palmyra, a person whose ancestors had always been highly respected by the emperors, to assist the eastern nations which were then in a very distressed condition. . . .

While affairs were thus situated in the east, intelligence was brought to Gallienus, who was then occupied in the Scythian war, that Aurelianus, or Aureolus, who was commander of the cavalry posted in the neighbourhood of Milan to watch the motions of Posthumus, had formed some new design, and was ambitious to be emperor. Being alarmed at this he went immediately to Italy, leaving the command against the Scythians with Marcianus, a person of great experience in military affairs. . . . Gallienus, in his journey towards Italy, had a plot formed against him by Heraclianus, prefect of the court, who communicated his design to Claudius, in whom the chief management of affairs was vested. The design was to murder Gallienus. Having found a man very ready for such an undertaking, who commanded a troop of Dalmatians, he entrusted the action to him. To effect it, the party stood by Gallienus at supper and informed him that some of the spies had brought intelligence, that Aureolus and his army were close at hand. By this they considerably alarmed him. Calling immediately for his horse and arms, he mounted, ordering his men to follow him in their armour, and rode away without any attendance. Thus the captain finding him alone killed him.Blindado

1di Claudius Gothicus268-270

AE antoninianus

Radiate cuirassed bust right, IMP C CLAVDIVS AVG
Liberlitas stg, LIBERALITAS AVG

RIC 57

Zosimus recorded: When the troops were calmed by their commanders, Claudius was chosen emperor, having previously been designed for that dignity by general consent. Aureolus, who had for a long time kept himself out of the hands of Gallienus, presently sent agents to Claudius, to effect a peace. Surrendering himself, he was killed by the guards of the emperor, who still remembered the hatred they bore against him for his treachery.

The Scythians were by this time so elated by their former success, that they appointed a place of meeting with the Heruli, Peucae, and Gothi, near the river Tyra, which empties itself into the Pontus; where having built six thousand vessels, and put on board them three hundred and twenty thousand men, they sailed across the Pontus, and made an attempt on Tomes, a fortified town, but were repulsed from it. From thence they proceed to Marcianopolis, a city of Mysia, but failing there likewise in their attack on it, they took the opportunity of a favourable wind and sailed forward. . . . they passed through the Hellespont, and arrived at Mount Athos. Having there refitted and careened their vessels, they laid siege to Cassandria and Thessalonica, which they were near taking by means of machines which they raised against the walls. But hearing that the emperor was advancing with an army, they went into the interior, plundering all the neighbourhood of Doberus and Pelagonia. There they sustained a loss of three thousand men, who were met with by the Dalmatian cavalry, and with the rest of their force engaged the army of the emperor. Great numbers were slain in this battle on both sides, but the Romans, by a pretended flight, drew the Barbarians into an ambuscade and killed more than fifty thousand of them.

Egypt being thus reduecd by the Palmyrenians, the Barbarians, who survived the battle of Naissus between Claudius and the Scythians, defending themselves with their carriages which went before them, marched towards Macedon, but were so distressed by the want of necessaries, that many of them and of their beasts perished with hunger. They were met likewise by the Roman cavalry, who having killed many of them, drove the rest towards Mount Haemus; where being surrounded by the Roman army, they lost a vast number of men. But a quarrel ensuing between the Roman horse and foot soldiers, the emperor wishing the foot to engage the Barbarians, the Romans, after a smart engagement, were defeated with considerable loss, but the cavalry, coming up immediately, redeemed in some degree the miscarriage of the infantry. After this battle, the Barbarians proceeded on their march, and were pursued by the Romans. The pirates who cruized about Crete and Rhodes retired without doing any thing worthy of mention; and being attacked by the plague on their way home, some of them died in Thrace and some in Macedon. All that survived were either admitted into the Roman legions, or had lands assigned for them to cultivate and so become husbandmen. Nor was the plague confined to the Barbarians alone, but began to infest the Romans, many of whom died, and amongst the rest Claudius, a person adorned with every virtue. His death was a severe loss to his subjeets, and was consequently much regretted by them.Blindado

1dm Tacitus275-276

AE antoninianus

Radiate, draped and cuirassed bust, right, IMP C M CL TACITVS AVG
Mars stg, MARTI PACIF

RIC 145

A rare emperor nominated by the Senate after the death of the widely revered Aurelianus.

Zonaras recorded: Tacitus, an elderly man, succeeded him. For it is written that he was seventy-five years old when he was chosen for monarchy. The army recognized him, though he was absent, for he was then residing in Campania. When he received the decision there, he entered Rome in private dress and, with the consent of the Senate and the People, donned the imperial garb.

The Scythians, having crossed Lake Maeotis and the Phasis River, attacked Pontus, Cappadocia, Galatia, and Cilicia. Tacitus, who had joined battle with them, and Florianus, who was prefect, slew many, and the remainder sought safety in flight. Tacitus appointed Maximinus, one of his kinsmen, as governor of Syria. But, when he behaved badly in his office, he was killed by his soldiers. Those who had killed him, frightened that the emperor would not leave them unpunished, set out after him too and killed him, not yet seven months after he had assumed sovereignty, but according to some not quite two years.

Zosimus, however, recorded, "Upon [Aurelianus'] death the empire fell into the hands of Tacitus, in whose time the Scythians crossed the Palus Maeotis, and made incursions through Pontus even into Cilicia, until he opposed them. Partly in person, and partly by Florianus, prefect of the court, whom he left in commission for that purpose, this emperor completely routed and destroyed them. He himself was going into Europe, but was thus circumvented and killed. He had committed the government of Syria to his cousin Maximinus, who treated the nobility of that country with such austerity, that he caused them both to hate and fear him. Their hatred became so excessive, that at length conspiring with the murderers of Aurelianus, they assaulted Maximinus, and having killed him, fell on and slew Tacitus also as he was upon his departure."Blindado

222Severus Alexander 222-38 AD
AE 38 mm
Amasia in Pontus
Sol in quadriga atop an altar
c.234/5 AD
Rec Gen 107
1 commentsmauseus

22263 Gorgon/Nike22263 Gorgon/Nike
Obv: Aegis with head of gorgoneion in centre
Rev: AMI-ΣOY monogram to right and left
Nike walking right, holding palm tied with fillet over left shoulder; monograms to lower left and right
Mint: Amisos, Pontus 22.1mm 7.0g
BMC 69-78
Blayne W

2945A PONTUS, Nicopolis ad Lycum Hadrian 126-27 AD NikeReference.
RPC III, 2945A; new type

Issue Year 56 (NϚ)

Obv. AYT TPAI-AΔPIAN
Laureate head of Hadrian right

Rev. ΕΤΟΥC ΝϚ
Victory walking, right, holding wreath and palm 'uncertain object' to right

4.61 gr
18 mm
6hokidoki

367/5 L. Manlius Torquatus.L. Manlius Torquatus. AR Denarius. 82 BC. Military mint moving with Sulla. Obv: L·MANLI -I – PRO Q. Helmeted head of Roma right. Rev: Sulla driving triumphal quadriga right, crowned by Victory flying left; in exergue, L·SVLLA·IMP.
Syd 757; Manlia 4;Crawford 367/5

I had no idea that this was related to Sulla when I bought it. I do now. Military mint!

As consul for the year 88 BC, Sulla was awarded the coveted assignment of suppressing the revolt of Mithradates VI of Pontus, but political maneuvers resulted in this assignment being transferred to Marius. In response, Sulla turned his army on Rome, captured it, and reclaimed his command against Mithradates. His prosecution of the first Mithradatic War was successful, but he spared the Pontic king for personal gain. In 83 BC, Sulla returned to Italy as an outlaw, but he was able to win the support of many of the leading Romans. Within a year he fought his way to Rome, where he was elected dictator. It was during this campaign to Rome that this (....) was struck. The obverse type represents Sulla's claim to be acting in Rome's best interest. The reverse shows Sulla enjoying the highest honor to which a Roman could aspire, the celebration of a triumph at Rome.

Paddy

501d. HanniballianusHanniballianus. A.D. 335-337.

Dalmatius's second son, Hannibalianus, was appointed Governor of Pontus, as well as Cappadocia and Lesser or Roman Armenia. Hannibalianus also received the title Rex Regum, which some scholars believe suggests that Constantine intended to install him as a client king over Persia once his contemplated campaign against Rome’s eastern enemy was brought to a successful conclusion. In a further gesture of reconciliation between the two branches of the imperial family, Hannibalianus was married to Constantia, one of Constantine's daughters.

Æ 15 mm (1.20 g). Constantinople, as Rex Regum, A.D. 336-337. FL HANNIBALLIANO REG[I], bare-headed, draped and cuirassed bust right / [SE]CVRITAS PVBLIC[A], river-god Euphrates reclining right, beside urn and reed; [CONSS]. RIC 147; LRBC 1034. Near VF/VF, attractive dark green patina with earthen highlights.1 commentsecoli

7259 Prusias I, 228-185 BCSilver tetradrachm, 35mm, 16.76g, VF
Diademed head right with whiskers / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠPOYΣIOY. Zeus standing left holding sceptre and crowning the King's name, thunderbolt and monogram inner left field.
Sear 7259; BMC Pontus pg 209, #1; SNG Cop 623v; SNG Von Aulock 244v.2 commentsLawrence W

7260 Prusias I, 228-185 BCBronze Æ28, 27mm, 10.51g, VF
Laureate head Apollo left / BAÎ£IÎ›EÎ©Î£ Î POYÎ£IOY Winged Athena standing left holding shield and crowning King's name, monogram inner left. Desert sand and brown patina.
Sear 7260; BMC Pontus, pg 209, #4; SNG von Aulock 6880Lawrence W

7260 Prusias I, 228-185 BCBronxe Æ28, 26mm, 11.01g, VF
Laureate head Apollo left / BAÎ£IÎ›EÎ©Î£ Î POYÎ£IOY Winged Athena standing left holding shield and crowning King's name, monogram inner left. Mechanically cleaned in fields.
Ex: Lakeview Collection.
Sear 7260; BMC Pontus, pg 209, #4; SNG von Aulock 6881; SNG Cop 6252 commentsLawrence W

7263 Prusias I, 228-185 BCBronze Æ19, 19.6mm, 5.54g, VF
Laureate head Apollo right / BAÎ£IÎ›EÎ©Î£ Î POYÎ£IOY Bow and quiver. Meduim brown patina.
Ex: Barry P. Murphy
Sear 7263; BMC Pontus, pg. 209, #9; SNG Cop 628Lawrence W

7265 Prusias II, 185-149 BCSilver tetradrachm, 41.6mm, 16.41g, VF
His head right wearing winged diadem / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΠPOYΣIOY (Π retrograde), Zeus standing left, holding sceptre and crowning king's name with wreath; eagle left standing on thunderbolt, over two monograms inner left field. The retrograde "P" is a known and scarce variant.
Ex: MediterraneanCoins GmbH; Lanz 125, lot 331
Sear 7265; BMC Pontus, p. 210, #1v; SNG Cop -; SNG von Aulock 252v (same obv die); Waddington [RG] I, 221, 10b2 commentsLawrence W

7266 Prusias II, 185-149 BCBronze Æ22, 21mm, 7.08 grams, Nice VF
Head of Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy / [B]AÎ£IÎ›EÎ©Î£ Î POYÎ£IOY, centaur Cheiron standing right playing lyre, monogram MT. Dark green patina, photo lightened.
Ex: MediterraneanCoins GmbH
Sear 7266; BMC Pontus, pg 211, #10 and plate 38, #4; SNG Cop 638; SNG von Aulock 256.Lawrence W

7268 Prusias II, 185-149 BCBronze Æ18, 16.6mm, 3.99g, gF
Head Dionysos right wreathed with ivy / BAÎ£IÎ›EÎ©[Î£] Î POYÎ£[IOY] Herakles naked left holding club and lion's skin. Dark brown patina: photo greatly lightened.
Ex: Forvm Ancient Coins; Lodge Antiquities
Sear 7268; BMC Pontus, pg 210, #7Lawrence W

7268 Prusias II, 185-149 BCBronze Æ18, 18.7mm, 3.85g, VF
Head Dionysos right wreathed with ivy / [BA]Î£IÎ›EÎ©Î£ [Î ]POYÎ£IOY Herakles standing left, naked, holding club and lion's skin. Medium green patina as shown, and coin looks great in-hand.
Ex: Tom Vossen
Sear 7268; BMC Pontus, pg 210, #6; SNG Cop 631; SNG von Aulock 258Lawrence W

7273 Nikomedes II, Epiphanes, 149-128 BCSilver tetradrachm, 39.7mm, 16.65g, EF
Diademed head right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ EΠIΦANOYΣ NIKOMHΔOY, Zeus standing left holding wreath and sceptre, eagle on thunderbolt over monogram and date NP (year 150 or 149 BC) in inner left field.
Ex: Freeman & Sear
Sear 7273; BMC Pontus pg 213, #1 and plate 38, #10; SNG Cop 646v; SNG von Aulock 261; Waddington [RG] plate 32, #7.
Note: For an unknown reason, there was a large mintage in year 150, possibly because of the new King; of the coins struck that year, these 'large flan series' coins are superior.2 commentsLawrence W

7274 Nikomedes III, Euergetes, 128-94 BCSilver tetradrachm, 37.6mm, 16.83g, Choice EF
Diademed head right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ EΠIΦANOYΣ NIKOMHΔOY. Zeus standing left holding wreath and lotus-tipped sceptre, eagle on thunderbolt over monogram and date I(Z)OP (year 177 or 122 BC) in inner left field.
Ex: Ronald Cohen Collection
Sear 7274v; BMC Pontus, pg. 213, #4var, and Pl. XXXIX, #1; De Callatay page 54 (D30/R1); Waddington [RG] page 230v. Rare variety: De Callatay cites one specimen.
Note: This coin struck with a slightly glancing blow, creating a great portrait at expense of weak areas on the reverse.2 commentsLawrence W

7276 Nikomedes IV, Philopator, 94-74 BCSilver tetradrachm, 34.4mm, 15.61g, EF
Diademed head right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ EΠIΦANOYΣ NIKOMHΔOY, Zeus standing left holding wreath and sceptre, eagle on thunderbolt over monogram and date EΣ (year 205 or 94 BC) in inner left field.
Ex: Forvm Ancient Coins
Sear 7276; BMC Pontus, page 215, #1; SNG von Aulock 265; SNG Cop 650
My personal favourite of this small collection because of the finely detailed portrait, 'perfect' toning, and minor imperfections like small die breaks that for me, add 'character.'
Note (courtesy Joe Sermarini): During the first year of his reign, Mithradates, king of Pontus, expelled him and placed his younger brother Socrates on the throne. The next year he was restored by the Roman army under Aquilius. Aquilius was later defeated and killed and in 88 BC, Mithradates destroyed Nikomedes' army forcing him to flee to Italy. Nikomedes' throne was again restored when Rome defeated Mithradates in 84 BC. He died childless and his will left his kingdom to Rome.Lawrence W

7276 Nikomedes IV, Philopator, 94-74 BCSilver tetradrachm, 36.4mm, 15.51g, Nice VF
Diademed head of Nikomedes II right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ EΠIΦANOYΣ NIKOMHΔOY, Zeus standing left, crowning King's name with wreath in right, and holding sceptre in left hand. Eagle on thunderbolt inner left field, monogram and date (BIΣ =year 212 or 87/6 BC) below. Extremely rare date.
Ex: Forvm Ancient Coins; Wayne G. Sayles
Sear 7276; BMC Pontus, pg 213, 6v; SNG Cop 651v; SNG Von Aulock 266v
Note (courtesy Joe Sermarini): In 88 BC, Mithradates destroyed Nikomedes' army forcing him to flee to Italy. His throne was not restored until Rome defeated Mithradates in 84 BC Waddington, [RG], pp. 217-8, notes, "it is difficult to explain the very rare coins that bear the dates IC, AIC, BIC. These dates correspond to 89/8 to 87/6 BC...; but between mid-88 and the end of 83, the whole of Bithynia was in the hands of Mithradates Eupator. We are forced to conjecture (no text says so) that during this period several fortified places in Bithynia remained faithful to the legitimate king and continued to strike coins in his name."Lawrence W

Alexander Severus - NicaeaAE 20
222-235 AD
laureate, draped and cuirassed bust right from back
M AVP CEV AΛEZANΔPOC A(VΓ)
three standards (○I●I●I)
NI-K-AI-E
ΩN
cf. Rec Gén II p. 477, 617; BMC Pontus p. 168, 101; SNG Cop 520; SNG Tüb 2122; SNGvA 623; SGICV 3287
4,14g 18,5mmJ. B.

Amasia (Pontus) - CaracallaAY. KAI. M. AYP. ANTΩNIN[...] , laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Caracalla right.
AΔP. CEY. ANT. AMACIAC MHT. ΠP. ΠO. , eagle on monumental stone altar near a tree.Ginolerhino

Amasia Pontus, Commodus 177-192, AE35AE 35mm.; 23.70g.,
Commodus AE33 of Pontus, Amasiea. Dated Year 189 = 184-185 AD. M AVP KOMOD ANTWNINOC, laureate and cuirassed bust right / ADF AMAC MHTP NEWK PR PON, Tyche standing left, holding rudder and cornucopiae, date ET-PPQ at feet. SNGvA 27, SGI 1942 var.
RPC IV 5313 (temp)Antonivs Protti

Amastris, PaphlagoniaAncient Greek City Issue
Amastris, Paphlaognia
(Under Reign of Mithridates VI 'the Great' of Pontus)

Obverse: Aegis with facing head of gorgon in middle

Reverse: Nike advancing right, palm across shoulders, AMAΣ-TPEΩΣ in fields

Bronze Unit (20mm, 7.1g)
Minted in Amastris 85-65BC

Reference: SNG Copenhagen 246

Translations and explanations:

Amastris was founded circa 300BC by a Persian princess of the same name, niece of King Darius III and is now Amasra in modern day Turkey.

Mithridates VI was a thorn in Rome's side for 40 years until finally being defeated by Pompey the Great.

An aegis is the shield or breastplate of Zeus or Athena.

Nike is the Greek god of victory.

AMAΣTPEΩΣ means 'of the Amastrians'.

Sphinx357

AMISOS - PontosAMISOS - Pontos, AE20, Minted c. 85-65 BC. Obv.: Aegis with head of gorgoneion facing in centre. Rev.: ΑΜΙ-ΣΟΥ, Nike walking right, holding palm tied with fillet over left shoulder; monograms left and right; right monogram looks like M inside Alpha. SNG BMC Black Sea 1188, Sear 3642.dpaul7

AMISOS - PontosAMISOS -- Pontos, AE20, Minted c. 85-65 BC. Obv.: Aegis with head of gorgoneion facing in centre. Rev.: ΑΜΙ-ΣΟΥ, Nike walking right, holding palm tied with fillet over left shoulder; monograms left and right; left monogram looks like M inside DELTA, T attached. . SNG BMC Black Sea 1187, Sear 3642.dpaul7

AMISOS - PontosAMISOS - Pontos, AE17. Head of young Ares right / ΑΜΙ-ΣΟΥ, sword in sheath, star & crescent moon in upper left, IB in upper right, PLK-K monogram in lower left. Reference: SNGBMC 1162 dpaul7

Amisos SNG 1161Obv head of Ares right in crested helmet
Rev: AMI−ΣOY, sword in sheath with strap, star in crescent upper left, monogram lower left, IB upper right
Mint: Amisos (Samsun, Turkey) mint, c. 120 - 63 B.C.
Size: 9.707 g, 18.7 mm, die axis 0o
Ids: BMC Pontus p. 17, 48; SNG BM 1161; SNG Stancomb 679 var. (2nd monogram right); SGCV II 3643; HGC 7 241
Notes: flan adjustment marksickster

Amisos SNG 1177Obv: aegis with facing head of Medusa (gorgoneion) in center
Rev: Nike advancing right, holding palm frond across shoulders behind, AMI−ΣOY divided across field, monogram (control) lower right
Mint: Amisos (Samsun, Turkey) mint, c. 105 - 85 B.C.
Size: 7.498 g, 21.0 mm, die axis 0o
Ids: SNG BM 1177 ff.; BMC Pontus p. 19, 69 ff.; HGC 7 242 (various controls)ickster

Amisos SNG BM 1200Obv: head of Dionysos right (with features of Mithradates VI), wearing ivy-wreath
Rev: AMIΣOY, cista mystica, on which rests panther skin and thyrsos, no monograms
Mint: Amisos (Samsun, Turkey) mint, c. 85 - 65 B.C.
Size: 8.097 g, 19.8 mm, die axis 0o
Ids: SNG BM 1200; BMC Pontus, p. 17, 52; Rec Gen p. 65, 24; SGCV II 3640; HGC 7 243ickster

Amisos SNG BM 1209Obv: head of Dionysos right, wearing ivy wreath
Rev: reverse AMIΣOY, cista mystica, on which rests panther skin and thyrsos, monograms left and upper right
Mint: Amisos (Samsun, Turkey) mint, c. 100 - 80 B.C.
Size: 7.596 g, 20.7 mm, die axis 45o,
Ids: SNG BM 1209; SNG Stancomb 699; SNGvA 60; BMC Pontus, p. 18, 56; Rec Gen p. 65, 24; SGCV II 3640; HGC 7 243ickster

Amisos, Pontos, 120 - 63 B.C.Bronze AE 19, BMC Pontus p. 17, 48; SNG BM 1161; SNG Stancomb 679 var (2nd monogram right); SGCV II 3643, aVF, Amisos (Samsun, Turkey) mint, weight 7.612g, maximum diameter 19.1mm, die axis 0o, c. 120 - 63 B.C.; obverse head of Ares right in crested helmet; reverse AMI−ΣOY, sword in sheath with strap, star in crescent upper left, monogram lower left, IB upper right;Platon

Amisos, Pontos, AE 19; Ares/ sword in sheath with strapPontos, Amisos, under Mithradates VI, AE19. Mithradates VI Eupator 120-63 B.C. 19mm, 7.6g. Obverse: helmeted head of Ares right. Reverse: sword in sheath with strap, monograms. Attribution: BMC p.17, #46. Ex areich, photo credit areich1 commentsPodiceps

Amisos, PontusAE21, 80BC
Obv: Head of Gorgon in shield
Rev: Nike Advancing right
7.8 grams, 21mm
BMC 1189Jerome Holderman

Amisos, Pontus, Time of Mithradates VI, ca. 80 BC.Obverse : Gorgonian head on shield facing.
Reverse : AMI-SOU, Nike advancing right, holding palm over shoulder, monograms above and below. Minted in Amisos of Pontos. Struck 85-655 BC. Ref: SNGBMC 1189.

EX ; Andreas Reich

From the Sam Mansourati Collection.Sam

Amisos; Gorgon's head/ Nike r. AE 22Amisos, Pontos, Late 2nd - Early 1st Centuries B.C. AE 22mm. Aegis with Gorgon's head at center/ Nike walking right holding wreath and palm. Podiceps

Amisos; Gorgon's head/ Nike r. AE 22Pontus, Amisos Ae 22mm, minted during the time of Mithradites, 119 - 63 B.C. Aegis with Gorgon's head at center. / Nike walking right holding wreath and palm. Sear 3642. Podiceps

AR Drachm of Sinope in Paphlagonia ca. 425-410 BCOBVERSE: Head of sea eagle facing left with dolphin below.
REVERSE: Double-Incuse punch with pellets in center

Sinope was originally founded by Greek colonists from Miletus ca 725 BC. Bithynia, Paphlagonia and Pontus bordered the southern shore of the Black Sea. It remained an important port, as indicated by the maritime themes on its coinage, for many centuries. Recently near- perfectly preserved remains of Byzantine-era vessels, probably bound for Sinope, have been found at the bottom of these anoxic waters.

SNG BMC 1367 Black Sea (ref. Wildwinds), wt 5.99 gm (ex-Forvm coins)daverino

Ariobarzanes I Philoromaios of Cappodocia, AR DrachmHead of Ariobarzanes diademed right,

Athena standing left. with Nike on right hand and spear in left,

ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΟΒΑΡΖΑΝΟΥ ΦΙ- ΛΟΡΩΜΑΙΟΥ

M/I monogram left field.

Other issues with this monogram appear with the date "ΘΚ", that is regnal year 29 or 67BC, so it seems reasonable to date this issue to 67BC, even though the date for this coin is off-flan.

Ariobarzanes I Philoromaios, lover of Rome, was King of Cappodocia between 96-63 B.C. He supported Rome against Pontus and Armenia. He abdicated in favour of his son Ariobarzanes II Philopator, in 62 or 63BC.

Ex - Edinburgh Coin Shop.Will Hooton

Asia Minor, Pontos, Amisos?, Cap, Head of Pan, StarPontos, Amisos?
AE18, Time of Mithradates VI (Circa 130-100 BC).
Obv.: Phrygian cap with facing bust of Pan ; bow to left.
Rev.: Star; bow
AE, 4.57g, 17.9mm
Ref.: SNG BM Black Sea 980; SNG Stancomb 645
Ex Pecunem Gitbud&Naumann auction 35, Lot 137shanxi

Asia Minor, Pontos? (Uncertain), Comet, Horse's head Uncertain Mint
Pontus or Asia Minor
about 130-100 BC
Obv.: Horse's head with star
Rev.: Comet
AE, 1.66g, 12.1mm
Ref.: SNG Black Sea 984, Lindgren III 154
OMNI 8 (11-2014), p.49, Fig. 17, this coin2 commentsshanxi

Asia Minor, Pontos? (Uncertain), pilos, starUncertain Mint
Pontus ?
Obv.: Pilos decorated with star
Rev.: Star
AE, 13mm
Ref.: BMC -; SNG ANS -; SNG v. Aulock -; SNG Copenhagen -; Isegrim -. shanxi

BithyniaAs a Roman province, the boundaries of Bithynia frequently varied, and it was commonly united for administrative purposes with the province of Pontus. This was the state of things in the time of Trajan, when Pliny the Younger was appointed governor of the combined provinces, a circumstance to which we are indebted for valuable information concerning the Roman provincial administration. Under the Byzantine Empire Bithynia was again divided into two provinces, separated by the Sangarius, to the west of which the name of Bithynia was restricted.

The most important cities were Nicomedia and Nicaea. The two had a long rivalry with one another over which city held the rank of capital. Both of these were founded after Alexander the Great; but at a much earlier period the Greeks had established on the coast the colonies of Cius (modern Gemlik); Chalcedon (modern KadÄ±köy), at the entrance of the Bosporus, nearly opposite Byzantium (modern Istanbul; and Heraclea Pontica (modern Karadeniz EreÄŸli), on the Euxine, about 120 miles (190 km) east of the Bosporus.ancientone

Bithynia, Juliopolis, 053p Geta (209-211 A.D.), BMC Pontus, Paphlagonia, Bithynia p. 150, #7 (but smaller, AE-24), AE-27, IOVΛIO ΠOΛЄITΩN, Hygeia standing right, Rare!Bithynia, Juliopolis, 053p Geta (209-211 A.D.), BMC Pontus, Paphlagonia, Bithynia p. 150, #7 (but smaller, AE-24), AE-27, IOVΛIO ΠOΛЄITΩN, Hygeia standing right, Rare!
avers:- Π CЄΠ ΓЄTAC K, Bare-headed, draped, cuirassed bust younger Geta right.
revers:- IOVΛIO Π OΛЄITΩN, Hygeia standing right, feeding serpent held in arms from patera.
exe: -/-//--, diameter: 27,0-28,0mm, weight: 13,83g, axis: 6h,
mint: Bithynia, Juliopolis, date: 198-209 A.D.,
ref: in "ISEGRIM" (thank you "shanxi")
1. 24.13mm Waddington, Recueil General page 389 #29, BMC Pontus, Paphlagonia, Bithynia p. 150, #7
2. 21mm Waddington, Recueil General page 389 #29 COLL WIEN
Q-001quadrans

Bithynia, Nikaia, Domitian, BMC 20Domitian, AD 81-96
AE 26, 8.54g
obv. AYT DOMITIANOS KAISAR SEBA GER
Bust, laureate, r.
rev. TON KTISTH NEIKAIEIS PRWTOI THS EPARX
Head of Herakles, bearded, laureate, l.
RPC 239; BMC 20
rare, VF, deep green patina

The metropolis of Bithynia was in fact Nicomedia but Nicaea raises a claim upon that title as is shown by a coin issued under Domitian with the legend "the Nikaians, the first of the eparchias". From this claim emerged a legal dispute which finally was decided by Valens in that way, that Nicaea and Nicomedia both was allowed to call themselve the first city of Bithynia but that only Nicomedia was the metropolis. But this vain title was useless: By the new arrangement of the provinces Chalcedon became the metropolis of the anterior Pontus. It's known a discourse from Dion of Prusa - who lived in the time of Domitian - in which he challenged the Nicomedians to peace with the Nicaeans.
1 commentsJochen

Bithynia-Pontus, Tium. Livia AE15. Obv: Head of Livia r.
Rev: KAYC T - T - IANΩN, winged caduceus; on r., Δ / K.
RPC -; cfr. SNG von Aulock 7175.
Very rare2 commentsancientone

C. MEMMIVSDenomination: Denarius
Era: C. 57 BC
Metal: AR
Obverse: Head of Ceres r.; C.MEMMIVS.CF downward on l.

Reverse: Trophy; Naked, kneeling captive with hands tied behind below trophy; on l. IMPERATOR downward; C.MEMMIUS downward on r.

Mint: Rome
Weight: 3.98 gm.
Reference: Crawford 427/1
Provenance: CNG 114, Lot 608

Comments: According to Crawford, the reverse recalls victory of Memmius uncle in Bythinia and Pontus c. 58 BC. Michael Harlan makes a good argument that the event was an earlier victory, probably in Spain by the moneyer’s father or grandfather.

Lovely grey old toning, GVF.
1 comments

CappadociaThe Cappadocians, supported by Rome against Mithridates VI of Pontus, elected a native lord, Ariobarzanes, to succeed (93 BC); but in the same year Armenian troops under Tigranes the Great (Tigran) entered Cappadocia, dethroned king Ariobarzanes and crowned Gordios as the new client-king of Cappadocia, thus creating a buffer zone against the encroaching Romans. It was not until Rome had deposed the Pontic and Armenian kings that the rule of Ariobarzanes was established (63 BC). In the civil wars Cappadocia was now for Pompey, now for Caesar, now for Antony, now against him. The Ariobarzanes dynasty came to an end and a certain Archelaus reigned in its stead, by favour first of Antony and then of Octavian, and maintained tributary independence until AD 17, when the emperor Tiberius, on Archelaus' death in disgrace, reduced Cappadocia at last to a Roman province. Much later it was a region of the Byzantine Empire.ancientone

Caracalla Æ 30mm of Amasia, Pontus.Caracalla Æ 30mm of Amasia, Pontus. Dated CY 209 = AD 207. 30mm (13.87 gm)
Ob...AY KAI M AYP ANTΩNINOC, laureate, draped and cuirassed bust to right (seen from behind).
Rev.. AΔP CεY ANT AMACIAC [M]Hε ΩΠ ΠO, Caracalla and Geta standing vis-à-vis, clasping right hands; ET CΘ (date) in lower field. SNG von Aulock 35 var. (legends); Rec Gen 77 var. (star in reverse field). Roma Numismatics Limited, E-sale 78, lot 852 (same dies). Rare. VF.Paul R3

Commodus Provincial Countermark[Α Κ?] Μ ΑΥ ΚΟ ΑΝΤΩΝΙΝΟΣ
laureate head of Commodus, r.

ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟ ΝΕΩ ΝΙΚΟ
seafaring hero (an Argonaut?) standing with foot on prow, r., head, l., extending r. hand, holding transverse sceptre

Countermark of "young Emperor" facing right (Caracalla?)

177–192 AD
Nicomedia Bithynia-Pontus; Bithynia

REC 152

SOLD
Jay GT4

Cr 401/1 AR Denarius Mn. Aquillius Mn.f. Mn.no: VIRTVS - III VIR Helmeted and draped bust of Virtus to right, with large head
r: MN F MN N / MN AQVIL / SICIL. Mn. Aquilius (Cos. 101) raising fallen Sicily
65 BCE Denarius Serratus (19 mm, 3.82 g, 6 h), Rome.
Babelon (Aquilia) 2. Crawford 401/1. Sydenham 798. Toned and struck on a broad flan.
This coin is somewhat unintentionally ironic. The moneyer's honored grandfather was accused of fleecing the people of Sicily, when he was governor of the province after the slave revolts. He later managed to antagonize Mithridates VI of Pontus, leading to widespread slaughter of Romans in Asia.
As Wikipedia summarizes the aftermath: "Mithridates defeated Aquillius in 88 near Protostachium. Aquillius was attempting to make his way back to Italy and managed to make it to Lesbos, where he was delivered to Mithridates by the inhabitants of Mytilene. After being taken to the mainland, he was then placed on a donkey and paraded back to Pergamon. On the trip, he was forced to confess his supposed crimes against the peoples of Anatolia. Aquillius's father, the elder Manius Aquillius, was a former Roman governor of Pergamon and was hated for the egregious taxes that he imposed. It was generally thought that Manius Aquillius the younger would follow in the footsteps of his father as a tax profiteer and was hated by some of the local peoples."
Grandpa was thereafter killed by Mithridates by having molten gold poured down his throat. 2 commentsPMah

Dynamis, Queen of the Cimmerian Bosphorus?Bosphorus/Pontus. Agrippias Caesaria ( Phanagoria). AE 8 nummia (19mm, 4.4 g), late 1st century BC.
Obv: Veiled and draped female bust, right.
Rev: AGRIPPEWN, Prow left, mark of value H in field at right.
RPC 1934-5; BMC 1.

RPC lists three possibilities for the Bust on the obverse: Livia, Aphrodite Urania, and Queen Dynamis. Popular opinion seems to be that the bust is that of Livia.

EB0210.4 Dionysos / ThrysosAmisos, PONTOS, AE17, 200-100 BC.
Obverse: Head of Dionysos right wreathed with ivy.
Reverse: AMIΣOY, Thrysos, fillet, and bell.
References: BMC Pontus pg. 18, 58.
Diameter: 17mm, Weight: 3.613g.EB

EB0534 Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius, AE 36 of PontusLucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius, AE 36 of Amasia, Pontus, 163 AD.
Obv: Possibly [AYT KAIC Λ AYΡ OYHΡΩ CEB] or [AVT KAICAΡ IOYHΡOC CEB], Lucius Verus laureate head right.
Rev: Possibly [AΔΡ AMAC NEΩK K MHT K ΠΡΩ ΠONT], year ET PΞE (year 165) below, Marcus Aurelius standing right, holding scroll, clasping hands with Lucius Verus, standing left.
References: cf. BMC Pontus 5; SNG von Aulock 24,25.
Diameter: 35.5mm, Weight: 27.83 grams.EB

EB0535 Marcus Aurelius / Ares & AphroditeMarcus Aurelius AE 34 of Amasia, Pontus, 162 AD.
Obv: AY[T KAIC M AYÎ¡ ANTÎ©NINÎ©] CEB, Laureate, draped, and cuirassed bust right.
Rev: AÎ”Î¡ AMAC NÎ©K K MHT K [Î Î¡Î© Î ON], year Ð„T Î¡ÎžÎ” (year 164) in exergue; Ares, holding spear and shield set on ground, standing right, vis-à-vis Aphrodite, in a posture of modesty, standing left.
References: RPC Online -; Dalaison 67e (D28/R56 die match); cf. RG 18; SNG von Aulock 22 var. (date).
Diameter: 34mm, Weight: 25.2 grams.EB

EB0536 Caracalla / TempleCaracalla, AE 31 of Zela, Pontus, 205 AD.
Obv: AV KAI M AVPH ANTω[NINOC], Laureate head of right.
Rev: ΖΗΛΙΤ / ω / Ν / [Τ]ΟΥ / ΠΟΝT ΟΥ, ET PMB (year 142) in exergue, hexastyle temple (of Anaitis) with Corinthian columns, the further pediment seen through the broken pediment in front, dot under central pediment.
References: BMC Pontus 3, Copenhagen IV 229, Lindgren II 58, von Aulock 143, Waddington (RGAM) 8.
Diameter: 31mm, Weight: 14.43 grams.EB

FH-G-051
Pontos, Amisos; Mithradates VI; 120-63 BC; Bronze AE20

- Head of young Ares right, wearing helmet.

- Î‘ÎœÎ™-Î£ÎŸÏ’
- AMI-SOY
- Sword in sheath with strap. IB Monogram in upper right, star and crescent in upper left, Î Î›K-K monogram in lower left.

7.60gm / 20.70mm / Axis: 0

References:
SNG BMC Black Sea 1162
BMC Pontus, 48

Notes: Jan 6, 16 - Coin is thoroughly pitted but reverse legends and monograms are all at least partially recognizable in hand. – compare to similar coin found here: http://www.wildwinds.com/coins/greece/pontos/amisos/t.html
Jonathan P

Greece, Delos - Temple of IssisThe Cycladic island of Delos was revered in antiquity as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. During the early Classical era it was a sacred religious precinct dedicated to the worship of these gods. In the late fifth century BC, at the peak of its role as a religious sanctuary, neither birth nor death was permitted to occur on the island. However, commercial imperatives were soon to over ride this religious taboo. Delos occupied a central position with respect to the trade routes of the Mediterranean, so that by the late 3rd century BC commercial activity overtook its role as a religious sanctuary. The sacred character of the island dissipated, displaced by a cosmopolitan trading centre. By the 2nd century BC it had evolved to become the centre of the Mediterranean slave trade. Strabo recorded that up to 10,000 people per day were trafficked through its slave market. This role continued into the early Roman era, until in 88 BC Mithradates VI, King of Pontus, decimated the population in an attack on the island. In 69 BC the pirates of Athenodoros destroyed what remained of the commercial centre of Delos and it fell into decline, to be effectively abandoned by the 6th century AD.

Greek, Ariobarzanes I Philoromaios. Cappadocian Kingdom. AR Drachm.Circa 96-63 B.C. AR Drachm (17mm, 3.92g, 1h). Simmoneta 9a. Obverse diademed head of Ariobarzanes to right. Reverse BASILEUS ARIOBARZANOU PHILOROMAIOU Athena standing left, holding Nike and spear and shield; to left monogram; to right, A; in exergue, gamma. Extremely Fine, beautifully toned. Ex Nomos AG 6th Price List Sale, lot 44.
Ariobarzanes I, nicknamed Philoromaios or “Lover of Rome” in the literal sense but should be translated as “Friend of Rome,” was a client king of Cappadocia during Roman expansion and hegemony in Asia Minor. He was elected by his people with the backing of Lucius Cornelius Sulla. He was removed several times by either Mithradates IV of Pontus or Tigranes II of Armenia but reinstated by the Roman Senate each time. He eventually abdicated and was replaced by his son, Ariobarzanes II.

The detail and artistry is surprisingly elegant on this small coin with a diameter of only 17mm. It is a masterpiece of miniature numismatic portraiture: most of Ariobarzanes’ coins are of inferior quality and finding one with fine portraiture of good style, such as this, is rarely encountered.

2 commentsJason T

GREEK, Cappadocian Kingdom, Ariarathes VII ca 110-99 BC, AR Tetradrachm in the name of Antiochos VII (138-129 BC)Diademed head of Antiochos VII right, fillet border. / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΝΤΙΟΧΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ Athena standing half-left in crested helmet on short ground line, confronting Nike held in right hand and with left arm balancing a spear while holding a grounded shield decorated with a Gorgoneion head, primary controls ΔI (in ligature) over A in outer left field, secondary controls O-Λ in inner fields, laurel crown around.
Lorber and Houghton, NC 2006, ser. 1, iss. 3 (A1/P1 - coin 12 - this coin); HGC 9 1069; SC 2148; SMA 298; SNG Spaer 1873 (same obverse die).
Uncertain Cappadocian mint, probably Ariaratheia or Eusebeia-Tyana.
From the same obverse die as the first issue to bear a reverse legend in the name of Ariarthes VII with the same O-Λ mint controls.
(28 mm, 16.63 gm, 12h)
ex- Commerce (‘Antiochus VII Posthumous’ Hoard) 2005

Ariarathes VII was the nephew of Mithradates VI Eupator of Pontus and a hapless pawn in the developing power struggle of his uncle with Bithynia and later Rome to control Asia Minor. After rebuffing Mithradates VI's 'advice and assistance' the armies of Mithradates and Ariarathes met prepared for battle. At this point Mithradates called for an unarmed discussion meeting with Ariarathes in the middle ground of the battlefield. In front of the two assembled armies, Mithradates drew a concealed blade and slit his nephew's throat, thus avoiding battle and clearing the way for a new puppet, his stepson, to be appointed ultimately as King Ariarathes IX. 8 comments

Greek, Mithridates VI (The Great) as HeraklesPontic Kingdom, Thrace, Odessos, Mithridates VI Megas, 120-63 BC, AR Tetradrachm in the name of Alexander the Great, struck ca. 88-86 BC.
Head of Mithridates VI (the Great) as Herakles, wearing lion's skin headdress / ΒΑΣIΛΕΩΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡOΥ.
(Reverse is of Zeus seated left, legs draped, confronting eagle held on outstretched right arm and grasping lotus-tipped sceptre, ΛAK before, OΔΗ (Odessos ethnic) in exergue.)
Callataÿ Group 3; Price 1192. Odessos ca. 88-86 BC
(30 mm, 16.04 gm, 1h)

This is amongst the last of the coinages in the style of Alexander the Great to be minted. In this final incarnation the portrait of Herakles was adapted to the features of Mithridates VI the Great, to the extent that the image of Herakles is in fact a portrait of Mithridates. Comparison with his portrait on tetradrachms minted in Pontus proves this point. 1 comments

GREEK, Thrace, Tauric Chersonesos, Pantikapaion, 2nd - 1st Century B.CBronze AE 14, SNG Stancomb 579, SNG Cop 55, BMC Thrace p. 9, 41, VF, weight 2.6 g, maximum diameter 13 mm, die axis 90o, Pantikapaion mint, obverse head of Pan right; reverse ΠΑΝΤ, pilei (caps) of the Dioscuri, each with a star above

Panticapaeum (Kerch, Ukraine) was an important city and port in Tauric Chersonesos on the western side of the Cimmerian Bosporus. In the 5th century B.C. it became the capital of the Thracian kings of Bosporus. The last of the kings of Bosporus left it to Mithridates VI Eupator, king of Pontus. He commited suicide at Panticapaeum in 63 B.C. after his defeat to Rome. In that same year, the city was partly destroyed by an earthquake.

GREEK, Thrace, Tauric Chersonesos,, c. 2nd - 1st Century B.CBronze AE 14, aVF, weight 2.4 g, maximum diameter 13 mm, Pantikapaion mint.

Panticapaeum (Kerch, Ukraine) was an important city and port in Taurica (Tauric Chersonesos) on the western side of the Cimmerian Bosporus. In the 5th - 4th centuries B.C., the city was the residence of the Thracian kings of Bosporus. The last of these kings, left his realm to Mithridates VI Eupator, king of Pontus. He commited suicide at Panticapaeum in 63 B.C. after his defeat to Rome. In that same year, the city was partly destroyed by an earthquake.

Hanniballianus RIC VII, 148Hanniballianus, King of Pontus 335 - 337, nephew of Constantine I
AE - AE 4, 1.24g, 15.5mm
Contantinopolis 1. officina, AD 336 - 337
obv. FL HANNIBALLIANVS REGI
draped, cuirassed bust, bare head r.
rev. SEC - VRITAS PVBLICA
Rivergod Euphrates sitting r., leaning with r. arm on sceptre,
with l. hand pouring water from a vase; reed in background
exergue: CONSS
RIC VII, 148; C.2
R5(!) due to the legend break on rev.; about VF
added to www.wildwinds.com

Hanniballianus was killed in the big family killing after the death of Constantin I4 commentsJochen

Hostilian 250-251 ADReign: Trajan Decius Persons: Hostilian (Caesar)
City: Nicaea Region: Bithynia Province: Bithynia-Pontus
Denomination: Æ (26,5 mm) Average weight: 8.04 g.
Obverse: Γ ΟΥΑΛΕΝΤ ΟCΤ ΜΕC ΚΥΙΝΤΟΝ Κ; radiate, draped and cuirassed bust of Hostilian, r., seen from rear
Reverse: ΝΙΚΑΙΕΩΝ; Homonoia seated l., holding patera and cornucopia
Reference: RPC IX 270, Rec 763bis
Specimens: 6Waldemar S

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