BITHYNIA. Heraclaea Pontica. Gordian III, 238-244. Medallion (Orichalcum, 35 mm, 24.23 g, 6 h). M ANT ΓOPΔIANOC AYΓ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Gordian III to right, breastplate decorated with eagle. Rev. HPAKΛEΩTAN MATPOC AΠOIKΩN ΠOΛIΩN Herakles standing left, raising club over his right shoulder, about to strike the Lernaean Hydra before him; in field to right, bow and quiver. RG 217. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG von Aulock -. Very rare. Somewhat corroded, otherwise, very fine.


The reverse legend on this issue calls Heraclea the 'mother of colonies', referring to the fact that the city - originally a colony of Megara herself - had founded a number of colonies in the Black Sea region, most notably Kallatis and Chersonesos.