435-370 BCE
3.93g, 15mm
Head of Hera left, wearing stephanie.
Owl, wings spread facing. “BAΛΛI” below
HGC 7, 229 var
Amisos was a colony of Miletos that was settled in the 6th century BCE. It grew into a very prosperous town that was easily defended due to being enclosed on two sides by the sea and another by a ravine.
In the 5th century BCE the city became part of the Delian league and was renamed Peiraios after the Athenian Pericles. When Alexander the Great occupied the area, the name returned to Amisos and the city returned to democratic rule.
It eventually became part of the Pontic Kingdom under Mithradates I. The coin below was minted during the time of Mithradates VI.
Time of Mithradates VI, c. 120-63 BCE
Æ 18mm., 8,52g
Obv. Aegis with Gorgoneion in centre.
Rev. ΑΜΙ-ΣΟΥ, Nike advancing right holding wreath and palm; monogram to lower right.
SNG Cop. 167
Not much remains of the ancient city today. Parts were destroyed for a radar base and most of the area is off limits as a military installation. The rest is the modern day city of Samsun.
circa 130-100 BCE
Æ 20mm, 6,34g
Phrygian cap (bashlyk) left; bow to left
Rev. Eight-pointed star, bow to left.
SNG BN Black Sea 980