264, Lot: 57. Estimate $150. Sold for $140. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

PAPHLAGONIA, Sinope. Circa 85-65 BC. Æ (33mm, 18.24 g, 12h). Helmeted head of Athena right / Perseus standing, facing, holding harpa and head of Medusa, whose decapitated body lies at his feet; monogram to left and right. SNG BM Black Sea 1534-5 var. (monograms); SNG Stancomb 796 var. (same); SNG Copenhagen 305 var. (same). Near VF, dark grayish-green patina with some light earthen highlights.

The revers of this coin depicts two figures from the legend of Medusa, who was once a beautiful young maiden who dared to challenge Athena's beauty. As punishment for her impiety, Medusa’s hair was turned into hissing serpents and condemned to turn every living thing which gazed upon her to turn to stone. Perseus, son of Zeus and the mortal Danae, was given the task of slaying this monster. He was aided, in part, by Athena who gave her shield to him for the task.