Mysia, Pergamum Region AE – 1st–2nd Centuries BCE – Ancient Greek Coin

Own a bronze coin from Mysia, struck in the Pergamum region during the 1st–2nd centuries BCE, a time of dynamic cultural exchange and shifting powers in the Hellenistic world. This authentic piece, originating from a city once at the heart of Asia Minor, offers a glimpse into a sophisticated and prosperous ancient civilization.

Pergamum, the leading city of Mysia, was a renowned center of learning, culture, and politics. Famous for its massive library (second only to Alexandria’s), its monumental altar to Zeus, and its contributions to medicine and art, Pergamum served as a beacon of Greek intellectual and architectural achievement well into Roman times.

The 1st–2nd centuries BCE were marked by Pergamum’s transition from a powerful Hellenistic kingdom under the Attalid dynasty to a Roman client state. In 133 BCE, King Attalus III bequeathed his realm to Rome, ushering in the era of Roman Asia — but the coins of this period still reflect strong Greek artistic and civic traditions.

Coins from this region often feature Greek deities, mythical creatures, and symbols of civic pride, such as Athena, Asklepios, or sacred animals, alongside Greek inscriptions naming the city or magistrate. These small bronze issues were widely used in everyday commerce and carried local iconography, tying them closely to the identity of their issuing city.

This AE coin from ancient Mysia is a tangible artifact of one of Asia Minor’s most illustrious regions — a cultural crossroads between Greek, Persian, and Roman worlds.