Gorgoneion facing with protruding tongue / Helmeted head of Athena left, astralogos to right. 10mm, 0.81 grams. SNG vA 5281; BMC 7.

Nice archaic portrait of Gorgon.

Selge was an important ancient city in the rugged mountains of Pisidia in southern Anatolia. According to ancient tradition, it was founded by settlers from Sparta after the Trojan War, though its population also included native Pisidian peoples. Because of its strong natural defenses high above the Eurymedon River valley, Selge remained relatively independent through much of the classical period and became known as a powerful and warlike city. It minted its own distinctive coinage and maintained a degree of autonomy even during the eras of Alexander the Great and later the Roman Empire, when it eventually became part of the Roman provincial system while retaining local importance.