Archaeological Museum of Bologna

Cistophorus was a silver coin beaten by several Greek cities of Asia Minor, especially in the Kingdom of Pergamon, by the end of the third century BC. The name originates from the type that marks this coin, that is a cysta, a cylindrical vessel, from which come snakes.

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Cistophorus production continued till imperial age, even if woth different representations. In this case there is Augustus' head on the obverse with letters IMP.CAESAR and six spikes with legend AVGVSTVS on the reverse. The inscription indicates the desgination of Ottavianus as first roman emperor. The coin is datable to 27-26 BC and producted by the mint of Pergamus.

Provenance: University Collection
Datation: c. 27 - 26 BC
Material: silver
Dimensions: diam mm 24; gr 11,03
Inventory #: 27030