SYRIA, Seleucis and Pieria. Paltus. Trajan Decius, 249-251. Tetrassarion (Orichalcum, 27 mm, 14.11 g, 12 h), CY 508 = 250 AD. ΑΥΤ Κ Γ ΜЄ ΚΥ ΤΡΑΙΑΝΟϹ ΔЄΚΙΟϹ Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Trajan Decius to right. Rev. ΠΑΛΤ[ΗΝΩΝ] - ΗΦ Tetrastyle temple containing statue of Athena standing facing on podium, holding spear in her right hand and shield in her left. RPC IX 1860. Very rare and likely the finest known example. Minor areas of weakness, otherwise, good very fine.


The small coastal city of Paltus lay south of Laodicea. It was here that Cassius set up his camp during the siege of P. Cornelius Dolabella in Laodica in 43 BC.