Pontos, Amisos, Time of Mithradates VI Eupator, AE Circa 85-65 BC

$75.00

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SKU: G8.16 Categories: ,

Description

Greek, Pontos, Amisos, Time of Mithradates VI Eupator, AE (bronze, 8.92g, 22.2mm), Circa 85-65 BC
Obv: Head of Dionysos to right, wearing wreath of ivy and fruit
Rev:Ā  AMIĪ£OY Panther skin and thyrsos on cista mystica; to left and right, monogram
Ref: HGC 7, 243. SNG BM Black Sea 1209 Rarity/Choice: Common, VF (moderate deposit, otherwise, exhibit dark green pastina with lovely details)
Note: Pontos, located in modern-day northern Turkey, was an ancient region known for its rich cultural heritage and strategic importance. Amisos (modern-day Samsun) was one of the major cities in Pontos, situated on the southern coast of the Black Sea. It was an important center for trade and commerce, flourishing under various rulers, including Mithradates VI Eupator, who was the king of Pontos and a formidable adversary of Rome. The depiction of Dionysos on the obverse underscores the city’s association with the worship of this god, as well as its connection to viticulture and wine production. The imagery on the reverse, including the cista mystica, thyrsos, and panther skin, emphasizes the religious and mystical aspects of Dionysian cult practices in Amisos. This coin from Amisos in Pontos provides valuable insights into the city’s religious beliefs, cultural practices, and economic activities during the Hellenistic period. It reflects the influence of Dionysian cult worship and the prosperity of the city under the rule of Mithradates VI Eupator.