ISLANDS OFF MYSIA, Pordosilene. 4th century BC. Hemiobol (Silver, 6 mm, 0.29 g, 2 h). Head of Apollo to right, wearing taenia. Rev. ΠΟΡ Conch shell within incuse square. BMC -. HGC 6, -. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG München -. SNG von Aulock -. Stauber, Adramytteion, p. 300, 4. Traité II 2273. Extremely rare. Somewhat porous and with very light deposits, otherwise, very fine.

The city name Pordosilene (Πορδοσιλήνη) is derived from the words Pordos (Πορδός = fart or flatulence) and Silenos (Σειληνός), meaning ‘Fart of Silenos.’ Why the city had such an unflattering name remains a mystery. It may have had a mythological origin, or perhaps it was simply a Hellenized version of an indigenous name. Either way, it is undoubtedly one of the most amusing place names of antiquity