Phrygia, Alia
Time of Gordian III, 238-244 CE
AE 4.86g 21mm
Laureate and draped bust of Demos left /
Apollo standing right, about to shoot arrow
RPC VII.1, 698; BMC 5; SNG Copenhagen 109
ex W.B. and R.E. Montgomery Collection
Like many small Roman provincial cities, we know next to nothing about Alia. Its coinage depicts similar deities and scenes to other provincial coins, and I wonder if they shared an engraver with other cities.
Its location may be that of modern Banaz. Today, Banaz is known for its hot springs. However, these aren’t referenced on its coins.