Bithynia, Astakos AR Hemidrachm. Circa 470 BC. Lobster to left, holding [tunny fish] in its claws; AΣ above / Archaic head of the nymph Olbia to left, diademed and with hair in sakkos, within shallow incuse square. RG p. 266, 6 and pl. xli, 6 (same dies) = Traité II, vol 2, 2871, pl. clxxxi, 6. 2.14g, 14mm, 6h.

Very Fine. Exceedingly Rare.

From the inventory of a UK dealer.

The hero Astakos was according to myth the son of Poseidon and the nymph Olbia, and the founder and eponym of the city of Astakos in Bithynia. During the reign of Nikomedes I, Nikomedia was founded nearby to replace Astakos, and the cult to the hero was moved to the new city.