PAMPHYLIA. Perge. Maximinus I, 235-238. Diassarion (Bronze, 22 mm, 7.14 g, 1 h). [AV] K Γ IOV • OVH MAΞIM[ЄINOC ЄV • CЄ •] Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Maximinus I to right, seen from behind. Rev. ΠЄPΓAIΩN Hephaistos seated right on rocks, wearing cap, holdings hammer in his right hand and shield set on his left knee. RPC VI online -. SNG Paris -. SNG von Aulock -. Watson -. Apparently unpublished. Minor deposits and light scratches, otherwise, about extremely fine.


This interesting reverse, previously known from Pergaean coins struck for Philip II, Gallienus and Salonina, is a reference to the Illiad (18.478-608), which describes in detail how Hephaistos fashioned a new shield for Achilles - a passage that was greatly admired by many other ancient and modern authors, and which influenced other famous poems, most notably Hesiod's The Shield of Herakles.