Bosporus Kingdom
Bosporus Kingdom - Black Sea
There are two references in my library for Bosporus coinage: "Monetno Delo Bospora" by Anokhin, 1986, 178pp, 39 plates and one page of monograms - this book is in Russian and since I can't read cyrillic, I do not use it much yet. The other reference is a new work by David MacDonald entitled "An Introduction to the History and Coinage of the Kingdom of the Bosporus", 141pp with photographs throughout, Classical Numismatic Group, 2005. Since this book is in English, I will reference it with MacDonald and the catalog number.
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Issues of Panticapaeum, Phanagoria, Sindicus Limen, Nymphaeum, and Theodosia (Early Spartocid Kings: 438/7-c.304/3 BC) |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Early Spartocid Kings, AE11, c.340-325 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of bearded satyr right ΠANTI Head of horse right 11mm x 13mm, 1.98g MacDonald 60; Anokhin 87 Consignor notes: aEF, nice patina. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Early Spartocid Kings, AE12, c.340-325 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of bearded satyr right ΠANTI Head of ram right 10mm x 12mm, 1.22g MacDonald 61; Anokhin 88 Consignor notes: VF, nice patina. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Early Spartocid Kings, AE10, c.340-325 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of bearded satyr left, wearing ivy wreath ΠAN Head of sturgeon right 10mm x 11mm, 1.15g MacDonald 62; Anokhin 81 Consignor notes: aEF, beautifully preserved. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Early Spartocid Kings, AE27, c.325-310 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of beardless satyr left, wearing ivy wreath Π_A_N Head of ox left 26mm x 27mm, 16.93g MacDonald 65; Anokhin 124 Consignor notes: aVF, large flan. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Early Spartocid Kings, AE17, c.325-310 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of bearded satyr left Π_A_N Head of ox left 17mm x 18mm, 4.70g MacDonald 67; Anokhin 132 Consignor notes: VF, contrasting patina. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Early Spartocid Kings, AE20, c.310-304/3 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of bearded satyr right Π_A_N Protome of eagle-headed griffin left, sturgeon left below 19mm x 20mm, 6.86g MacDonald 69; Anokhin 111 Consignor notes: EF, beautifully preserved. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Early Spartocid Kings, AE18, c.310-304/3 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of beardless satyr left, wearing ivy wreath Π_A_N Head of lion left, sturgeon left below 18mm, 7.00g, Die axis 11.0 MacDonald 70; Anokhin 125; SNG BM Black Sea 883-889 Consignor notes: Choice EF. Gorgeous coin, attractive style and beautiful patina and surfaces. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Early Spartocid Kings, AE19, c.310-304/3 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of beardless satyr left, wearing ivy wreath Π_A_N Head of lion left, sturgeon left below 19mm, 7.19g MacDonald 70; Anokhin 125; SNG BM Black Sea 883-889 Consignor notes: aEF, well-preserved. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Early Spartocid Kings, AE17, c.310-304/3 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of beardless satyr right Π | A | N Protome of Pegasus right 15mm x 17mm, 3.29g MacDonald 71; Anokhin 112 Consignor notes: gVF, soft green patina. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Early Spartocid Kings, AE12, c.310-304/3 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of beardless satyr right, dotted border ΠAN | TI Bow in gorytos 11mm x 12mm, 1.65g MacDonald 72; Anokhin 113 Consignor notes: aEF, dark patina. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Early Spartocid Kings, AE10, c.310-304/3 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of beardless satyr right Π | A | N Head of ox left 10mm x 11mm, 0.91g MacDonald 73; Anokhin 114 Consignor notes: Fine, well-centered. |
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Issues of Panticapaeum, Phanagoria, and Theodosia (Late Spartocid Kings: c.304/3-c.108 BC) |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Late Spartocid Kings, AE21, c.304-250 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of beardless satyr left, wearing ivy wreath, countermark of star in circle Π_A_N Head of lion left, sturgeon left below, countermark of bow in gorytos 20mm x 21mm, 6.42g MacDonald 114; Anokhin 130 Consignor notes: gVF. Host coin is MacDonald 70, Early Spartocid Kings. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Late Spartocid Kings, AE21, c.304-250 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of beardless satyr left, wearing ivy wreath ΠAN Bow above, arrow right below 20mm x 21mm, 5.49g MacDonald 116; Anokhin 133 Consignor notes: aEF, dark patina. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Late Spartocid Kings, AE21, c.304-250 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of beardless satyr left, wearing ivy wreath, countermark of star in circle ΠAN Bow above, arrow right below 20mm x 21mm, 6.46g MacDonald 117; Anokhin 133 Consignor notes: a EF, dark patina. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Late Spartocid Kings, AE17, c.150-120 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of bearded satyr left, wearing ivy wreath ΠAN | TI Cornucopiae flanked by caps of Dioscuroi topped with stars 16mm x 17mm, 3.97g MacDonald 145; Anokhin 175 Consignor notes: gVF, dark patina. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Late Spartocid Kings, AE13, c.150-120 BC, Pantikapaion (No legend) Head of beardless satyr right, wearing ivy wreath ΠANTI Caps of Dioscuroi topped with stars 13mm, 3.33g MacDonald 146; Anokhin 176 Consignor notes: gVF, attractive patina. |
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Bosporus Kingdom, Late Spartocid Kings, AE11, c.140-108 BC, Phanagoria (No legend) Head of bearded satyr right, wearing ivy wreath ΦA Bow above, arrow right below 11mm, 1.58g MacDonald 157 Consignor notes: aVF, dark patina. |
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Issues Contemporary to the Roman Empire |
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| Bosporus Kingdom, Roman Empire Period, Mithradates III, AE 12 Nummia, 39/40-44/45 BACILEWC MI_QRADATOU Diademed head of Mithradates III right BACILICHC GHPAIPUREWC Diademed, draped bust of Queen Gepaepyris right, IB in right field 24mm x 25mm, 7.39g MacDonald 312 Ex John Vander Weit Collection |
| Bosporus Kingdom, Roman Empire Period, Mithradates III, AE 12 Nummia or Assarion, 41-45 BACILEWC MIQPIDATOY Diademed head of Mithradates III right (No legend) Club draped with lion's skin, between bow in case and trident IB (denomination mark) in exergue 24mm x 25mm, 7.72g MacDonald 313 |
| Bosporus Kingdom, Roman Empire Period, Queen Eunice, 24 Units, 68-69 KA | PE Temple with five columns and five steps (No legend) Wreath enclosing monogram 18 of Queen Eunice, KD (denomination mark) below 23mm x 25mm, 7.95g MacDonald 337/1 Note: MacDonald notes on p.68 "RPC I, p.330 suggests that the NO element of the monogram on this variety stands for "noummia", an indication of the denomination, but the NO element replaces the top part of the monogram as it appears on the second variety, and is so more likely to be part of the name expressed in the monogram than a separate abbreviation. No other coin of the Bosporus bears the name of the denomination, though the number of units is commonly expressed on the bronze coinage." |
| Bosporus Kingdom, Roman Empire Period, Rhescuporis I, AE 48 Nummia or Sestertius, c.91-93 TIBERIOC IOULIOC BACILEUC RHCKOUPORIC Diademed, draped bust of Rhescuporis I right, club in left field, trident in right field (No legend) Rhescuporis I galloping right on horse, wielding javelin in right hand MH in exergue 26mm x 28mm, 11.96g MacDonald 364 Ex John Vander Weit Collection |
| Bosporus Kingdom, Roman Empire Period, Sauromates I, AE 48 Nummia or Sestertius, 25mm, 99-101 TI . IOULIOU BACILEw_C [CAU]ROMATOU Diademed and draped bust of Sauromates I right MH within wreath of eight bunches of leaves terminating in large pellet 23mm x 27mm, 11.17g MacDonald 398/1 Ex Jean Elsen, Auction 85, Lot 486, September 2005 |
| Bosporus Kingdom, Roman Empire Period, Sauromates I, AE 48 Nummia or Sestertius, 25mm, 98-103/104 [T . IOULIOU] BACILEOC CAUROMATO_U Wreath on curule chair, scepter tipped with bust of Roman emperor to right, shield in front of spear to left MH within wreath of six bunches of leaves terminating in large pellet 24mm x 26mm, 7.92g MacDonald 408/1 or 408/2 Ex Jean Elsen, Auction 85, Lot 486, September 2005 |
| Bosporus Kingdom, Roman Empire Period, Cotys II, AE 48 Nummia or Sestertius, 123-125 BACILEwC KOTUOC Diademed, draped bust of Cotys II right (No legend) Cotys II galloping right on horse, brandishing spear in right hand MH in exergue 25mm x 26mm, 6.75g MacDonald 432/1 Ex John Vander Weit Collection |
| Bosporus Kingdom, Roman Empire Period, Rhescuporis II, Electrum Stater, 513 Bosporan Era (216/217 AD) BACIΛEωC PHCKOVΠOPIΔOC Diademed, draped bust of Rhescuporis II right, sword in right field ΓIΦ Laureate, draped bust of uncertain Roman emperor right 19mm x 20mm, 7.65g MacDonald 556/1 Note: MacDonald notes on p.101: "While both early and later staters can be assigned with certainty to Caracalla, Elagabalus or Severus Alexander, those struck during 513-515 BE appear to bear no resemblance to any specific emperor (viz. Macrinus) and no attempt has been made here to do so." |
| Bosporus Kingdom, Roman Empire Period, Thothorses (285/286-308/309), AE Stater, 591 Bosporan Era (294/295 AD) BACIΛEωC ΘOΘOPCOV Diademed, draped bust of Thothorses right, + in right field a9Φ Laureate, draped bust of emperor right, tamgha #2 in right field 19mm x 20mm, 7.79g MacDonald 642/4 Ex Midwest "Coins of Christianity" Collection |
AE Tetrachalk, 21mm, c. 314-310 BC. No legend Head of old Pan right. PAN Legend around forepart of griffin left, sturgeon below. Anokhin Bosporus 111.
AE Dichalk, 15mm, c. 314-310 BC. No legend Head of young Pan right. PAN Legend around forepart of Pegasus right. Anokhin Bosporus 112.
AE Obol, 13mm, c. 150-140 BC. No legend Head of Apollo right. PAN Legend left of bowcase. Anokhin Bosporus 169.
AE Tetrachalk, 17mm, c. 130-125 BC. No legend Head of old Pan left. PANTI Cornucopiae between two caps of Dioscuri. Anokhin Bosporus 175.
AE Tetrachalk, c. 37-27 BC. No legend Head of Apollo right, caduceus countermark behind head. PANTIKA_PAITWN Legend above and below Pegasus standing left. Anokhin Bosporus 250.
Governor-general Mokhar (?), AE Obol, 23mm, c 80-70 BC. Head of Dionysos right, wreathed by ivy. Bowcase, monogram AK in left field. Anokhin Bosporus 212A; SNG vol.IX, 949; W.Wroth pl.XVIII, #17.
Governor-general Mokhar (?), AE Obol, 23mm, c 80-70 BC. Head of Dionysos right, wreathed by ivy. Bowcase, monogram APK in left field. Anokhin Bosporus 212D; SNG vol.IX, 949; W.Wroth pl.XVIII, #17.
Aspurgus, 2d reign, AE 12 Nummia or Assarion, 24mm, 15-38. Diademed head of Aspurgus, monogram BAP behind, BI (mark of value) before. TIBEPIOY KAISAPOS Laureate head of Tiberius right. Anokhin Bosporus 319; Sear 5430.
Note: The BI on the obverse represents the mark of value - B (2) + I (10) = 12 nummia = 1 assarion. More common is the mark IB, which represents the same value.
Aspurgus, 2nd reign, AE 12 Nummia or Assarion, 23mm, 15-38. Diademed head of Aspurgus right, monogram BAP behind, IB before. GAIOY KAISAPOS GEPMANIKOY Bare head of Caligula right. Anokhin Bosporus 320; Sear 5431.
Gepaepyris, AE 12 Nummia or Assarion, 21mm, 37-38. BACILICCHC GHPAIPYPEWC Diademed and draped bust of Queen Gepaepyris right. Veiled and draped female bust right, wearing kalathos. IB in left field. Anokhin Bosporus 326; Sear 5434.
Mithradates, AE12 Nummia or Assarion, 23mm, 39-41. BACILEWC MIQRADATOY Laureate head of Mithradates right. BACILICCHC GHPAIPYPEWC Laureate, draped bust of Queen Gepaepyris right. Anokhin Bosporus 331; Sear 5433.
Kotys I, AE 12 Nummia or Assarion, 24mm, 50-54. TI . KLAVDIOY . KAICAROC Laureate head of Claudius right, IB beneath. IOVLIAN AGRIPPINAN CEBACTHN Head of Agrippina Junior left, monogram BAK in left field. Anokhin Bosporus 348; Sear 5438; SNG Vol IX, 971; W.Wroth p. XI, 14.
Kotys I, AE 12 Nummia or Assarion, 21mm, 54-55. NEPWNOC CEBACTOY KLAVDIOY KAICAPOC Laureate, draped bust of Nero right. AGPIPPINHC CEBACTHC Head of Agrippina Junior left, monogram BAE in field to left; IB beneath. Anokhin Bosporus 350; SNG vol.XI, 972.
Sauromates I, AE 48 Nummia or Sestertius, 25mm, 90-124. BACILEwC CAYPOMATOY Diademed and draped bust of Sauromates right. MH within wreath. Anokhin Bosporus 454.
Sauromates I, AE 48 Nummia or Sestertius, 27mm, 90-124. BACI_LEwC CAYPOMAT_OY Chair surmounted by crown, between shield and spear on left and human-headed scepter on right. MH within wreath. Anokhin 456; Sear 5457.
Kotys II, AE Sestertius, 24mm, 123-132. BACILEWC KOTYOC Laureate, draped, cuirassed bust of king right. MH Wreath surrounding legend. Anokhin Bosporus 481.
Note: The MH on the reverse represents the mark of value - M (40) + H (8) = 48 nummia = 1 sestertius.
Sauromates II, AE Triple Sestertius, 23-26mm, 174-210, Time of Commodus 180-192. BACILEwC CAYPOMATOY Diademed, draped bust of king right. Eagle with opened wings holding a wreath in his beak, PMD in the field. Anokhin Bosporus 618.
Sauromates II, AE Triple Sestertius, 28 mm, 174-210, Time of Septimius Severus 193-210. BACILEwC CAYPOMATOY Diademed, draped bust of king right. Eagle with opened wings holding a wreath in his beak, PMD in the field, countermark of head of Septimius Severus. Anokhin Bosporus 625.
Ininthimeus, AE Double Denarius, 22mm, 235-239. BACILEWC ININQIMHYOY Diademed, draped bust of king right, facing draped bust of goddess left, wearing kalathos. Goddess enthroned left, patera in right hand, B in left field, * HT ligate in right field, countermark in left field. Anokhin Bosporus 679; Sear 5495.
Ininthimeus, AE Double Denarius, 22mm, 235-239. BACILEWC ININQIMHYOY Diademed, draped bust of king right, facing draped bust of goddess left, wearing kalathos. Goddess enthroned left. Anokhin Bosporus 679; Sear 5495.
Rheskuporis IV, AR Stater, 22mm, 252-253. BACILEwC RHCKOYPORIDOC Laureate bust of Rheskuporis IV right. Laureate bust of ? right, . | . in right field, year qmF below (year ? = 252/253 AD). Anokhin Bosporus 700c.
Rheskuporis IV, AR Stater, 22mm, 266-267. BACILEwC RHCKOYPORIDOC. Bust of Rheskuporis IV, cuirassed, draped right, trident in right field. Laureate, draped bust of Gallienus right, K in right field, year GXF below (563 = 266/267 AD). Anokhin Bosporus 714.
Rheskuporis IV, AE Double Denarius, 19mm, 242-276. BACILEC PHCKOYPOPIDOC Draped bust of Rheskuporis right. Enthroned goddess left, B in left field, * in right field. Anokhin Bosporus 719.
Rheskuporis IV, AE Denarius, 15mm, 242-276. Legend off flan. Bust of Rheskuporis IV, cuirassed, draped right, trident in right field. Enthroned goddess left. Anokhin Bosporus 722; Sear 5500.
Rheskuporis V, AE Stater, 22mm, 318-336. BACILEC RHCKOYPIDOC Draped bust of king right, trident in right field. Laureate, draped bust of Constantine the Great right, eagle on globe in right field, year KX below (620 = 323 AD). Anokhin Bosporus 769a.