Description: Pontos, time of Mithradates VI (120 - 63 BC). Star with head of Pegasos right / Comet with tail.

Diameter: AE11 mm

Weight: 1,92 g

Grade: aVF/aVF

Attribution: SNG BM 984

Commentary: rare; olive patina with sand deposits

History: This is the first depiction of comet on a coin in pre-Augustan times; traditionally attributed to Pontos, though very similar to Cappadocian coins with horse and stock of grain, where adding of a star would result in the depicted coin; as for the celestial body depicted, it could be the comet of 134 BC, who announced the birth of Mithridates VI or Halley's comet of 87 BC.

Article Number: 031-09-05-41652