★ Extremely Rare Drachm of Amisos. ★

Pontos. Amisos. Time of Mithradates VI Eupator 120-63 BC.
Drachm AR

18 mm, 3,30 g

Bust of Perseus to right, with harpa over shoulder / Aegis with facing gorgoneion, monogram to right

Very Fine.

SNG BM Black Sea 1127-8; RG p. 62, 12, HGC 7, 235

Only three other examples on CoinArchives, Extremely Rare Perseus, a legendary figure from Greek mythology, embodies the classic hero's journey replete with divine intervention and extraordinary feats. Born to Danaë, the daughter of King Acrisius, his infancy was marked by an attempt to thwart a prophecy predicting Acrisius' demise at the hands of his grandson. Cast adrift with his mother in a wooden chest, Perseus found refuge on the island of Seriphos, raised by the compassionate fisherman Dictys. The tale unfolds as Perseus, now a young man, faces the machinations of King Polydectes, who seeks to rid himself of Perseus by demanding the head of the Gorgon Medusa. With divine aid from gods such as Hermes and Athena, Perseus embarks on a perilous quest, armed with winged sandals, a cap of invisibility, and a reflective shield. His cunning triumphs over adversity as he slays Medusa without gazing upon her directly. Returning home, Perseus rescues Princess Andromeda, wins her hand in marriage, and inadvertently fulfills the prophecy by accidentally causing the death of Acrisius. Perseus, now a celebrated hero, establishes the city of Mycenae, leaving a legacy that resonates through the annals of Greek mythology, a testament to the enduring allure of his epic exploits.