PONTOS. Amisos. Time of Mithradates VI Eupator, circa 85-65 BC. AE (Bronze, 21 mm, 6.41 g, 12 h). Aegis. Rev. [AMI]-ΣOY Nike advancing right, holding palm over her left shoulder; to left and right, monograms. HGC 7, 242. SNG BM Black Sea 1177-82. A highly interesting overstrike. Somewhat rough and with traces of overstriking, otherwise, very fine.


Our coin is an overstrike on an earlier type, clearly identifiable from traces of the undertype visible on the reverse. The undertype is likewise Pontic or Paphlagonian, with a helmeted head of Mars on the obverse and a sword on the reverse. This type was struck at several mints - Chabakta, Gazioura, Pimolisa, Sinope, and Taulara - but an attribution to Amisos seems most likely (HGC 7, 241).