ISLANDS OFF MYSIA, Pordosilene. Circa 400 BC. Hemiobol (Silver, 7 mm, 0.44 g, 6 h). Head of bearded Silenos with animal ear to right. Rev. Π-OP Dolphin to right; all within incuse square. BMC -. HGC 6, 1099. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG München -. SNG von Aulock 1765. Stauber, Adramytteion, p. 300, 6. Very rare. Somewhat granular, otherwise, about 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