THRACE. Abdera. Gaius (Caligula), 37-41. Assarion (Bronze, 22 mm, 6.23 g, 6 h). ΓAIΩ KAIΣAPI ΣEBAΣTΩ Laureate head of Gaius (Caligula) to left. Rev. BAΣIΛEYΣ POIMHTAΛKAΣ (retrograde) Laureate head of Rhoimetalkes III to right. RPC I -, cf. 1724 (larger denomination and reverse legend not retrograde). Very rare and interesting. The obverse struck somewhat off center, otherwise, very fine.


This is apparently the half denomination to RPC 1723 and 1724, but what makes this coin particularly curious is the retrograde reverse legend. The die cutter was also likely responsible for the reverse die of RPC 1725 with its retrograde BAΣIΛEΩΣ legend.