PAPHLAGONIA. Sinope. Circa 85-65 BC. AE (Bronze, 21 mm, 7.90 g, 12 h), Rome, 161. IMP CAES L AVREL VERVS AVG Laureate head of Zeus to right. Rev. ΣINOΠH[Σ] Eagle with open wings standing left on thunderbolt, head to right; to left, monogram of ATE. HGC 7, 421. SNG BM Black Sea 1547-9. SNG Stancomb 801-2. Areas of weakness and traces of overstriking, otherwise, extremely 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 such as Amisos, Chabakta, Gazioura, Pimolisa, Sinope, and Taulara.