PONTOS. Amisos. Time of Mithradates VI Eupator. Circa 85-65 B.C. Æ. 12.39 gm. 23 mm. Head of Perseus right, wearing Phrygian helmet / Pegasos grazing left; ΑΜΙΣΟΥ and two monograms in exergue. HGC 7, 239. SNG BM Black Sea 1213. Good Very Fine; pleasing brown patina; some scattered light pitting (more noticeable on photo than coin); attractive, with good style.

This reverse type is reminiscent of the early tetradrachms of Mithradates VI.

Perseus, a son of Zeus and one of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology, is most renowned for beheading the Gorgon Medusa and using her severed head, which could turn onlookers into stone, as a mighty weapon in his later adventures. He slayed the sea monster Cetus, rescuing Andromeda, who became his wife. One of their sons was Electryon, the father of Alcmene, whose union with Zeus produced the most iconic Greek hero ever, Heracles, making Perseus both Heracles' great-grandparent and his half-brother.