PHRYGIA. Eumeneia. Pseudo-autonomous issue. Diassarion (Bronze, 24 mm, 7.76 g, 6 h), circa 180-218. IЄPA CYNKΛHTOC Draped bust of the Roman Senate to right. Rev. ЄYΜЄΝЄΩΝ ΑΧΑΙΩΝ Youthful hero, nude but for chlamys draped over his left arm, standing front, head to left, holding dove or raven in his right hand and double axe in his left. BMC -. RPC IV.2 online 11575. SNG Copenhagen -. SNG von Aulock -. Very rare. A lovely issue of fine late Antonine or early Severan style. Minor smoothing, otherwise, about extremely fine.


Eumeneia was founded by Attalos II (159-138 BC) in honor of his brother and predecessor Eumenes II (197-158 BC). Unlike many of the other Attalid foundations, the city claimed Achaean rather than Macedonian heritage in Roman times (hence the ethnic ΑΧΑΙΩΝ on the reverse of our coin), indicating that its original settlers were not Macedonian veterans but Achaean colonists.