★ “Extremely Rare” "Second and Best Preserved Example" ★

PAPHLAGONIA. Sinope. Marcus Aurelius, Caesar, c. 147-161 AD. AE.
Obv: AVR VERVS CAESAR.
Bare headed, draped bust of Marcus Aurelius (short beard), r.
Rev: C I F AN CLXXII.
To r., Asclepius standing, facing, head l., holding serpent-staff; to l., Hygieia standing facing in chiton and peplos on a garlanded altar, head, r., holding serpent in her r. hand and patera in l.
It is known that the cult of Asclepius and Hygieia was established in Sinope in the Roman Imperial Period. From Sinope there is an inscription on an altar with a dedication to Asclepius Σώτηρ and Hygieia by Ophilios Polykarpos (Robinson 1906, p. 306 and also, see Moschakis Konstantinos 2013, Healing Gods: The Cult of Apollo Iatros, Asclepius and Hygieia in the Black Sea Region, p. 37). This beautiful coin confirms this cult in the city. This is also the second and the best preserved specimen. Extremely Rare. RPC IV.1, 11757 (temporary).
Described by Pactolus Numismatic Academy (PNA).
Condition: Very Fine.
Weight: 9.03 g.
Diameter: 24 mm.