ISLANDS OFF MYSIA, Pordosilene. 4th century BC. Hemidrachm (Silver, 10 mm, 1.98 g, 5 h). Young male head right, wearing tainia. Rev. ΠΟΡΔ Panther standing right, head facing; all within incuse square. CNG 105 (2017), 214. HGC 6, 1097. Stauber & Barth 2. Very rare. Somewhat grainy, otherwise, good 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.