Paphlagonia, Amastris. Queen Amastris. Silver Didrachm (9.51 g), ca. 300-285 BC. Head of Amastris (or Mithras?) right, wearing laureate Phrygian headdress; behind, bowcase. Reverse: BAΣIΛIΣΣHΣ AMAΣTPIOΣ, Aphrodite seated left, holding Eros; above, star. SNG BM 1297; SNG von Aulock 6798. Rare. Struck on a rough flan with some silver oxide present. Toned. Very Fine. Estimated Value $400 - UP
There are a plethora of varieties of the didrachms of Queen Amastris. Symbols are sometimes found on the obverse behind the head; the legend on the reverse varies in position; Aphrodite variously holds either Eros or Nike; and Eros and Nike crown either the legend, Aphrodite, or a radiate head of Helios. One could spend years searching for and acquiring each subtle difference.
Peter Corcoran Collection, Ex Freeman & Sear 13 (25 August 2006), 704.