struck ca. 20 BCE
Ae 15-16mm, 4.0gms
Obv: Turreted head of Tyche right
Rev: MHTPOS ThEWN; Lion seated right
SNG France 2565-8
Supposedly, the mythical King Midas ruled from Pessinos, though archeological evidence puts the city’s origins much later. It was also a main site for the worship of Kybele.
This coin was minted after the Celts moved in, though they were defeated by Antiochos I in the Battle of the Elephants in 268 BCE. They then moved to the area that became known as Galatia.
The Romans remove a large black meteorite(?) from Pessinos to Rome as part of introducing the Cult of the Great Mother of Ida to Rome to counter an alarming number of meteor showers.
Pessinos is made a sanctuary by the Attalid kings.
Approximate year when Pompey rewards Deiotaros for his assistance against Mithridates VI by making him King of Galatia. Pessinos loses its sacred status.
Pessinos becomes the capital of the Galatian tribe of theTolistobogii.
The temple at Pessinos is constructed.