TYPE Ancient Greece, Istros (Thrace), 4th c. BC, bronze AE15 DESCRIPTION . Obv: Horned and bearded head of river-god Istros (Danube), facing 3/4 right Rev: Eagle on top of dolphin, Greeek legend "ISTR[ION]" REFERENCE: L3 A41f GRADING: F+, light brown patina, edge flaw, very scarce ORDER INFO: G2175, $65 While hardly reflecting zoological reality - as an 18-pound eagle is unlikely to attack a much heavier dolphin at sea - the reverse scene, present on coinages of two Black Sea cities (Istros and Sinope - though rather distant, they were both originally Milesian colonies) might have some symbolic significance in juxtaposing two leading deities - Zeus and Poseidon - through their sacred animals. Interesting early depiction of river-god Istros (Danube), who sometimes appears on colonial coinage as a reclining figure holding a reed, but is rarely seen in this form.