Kos maintained its mint through the Mithridatic Wars despite the island's complicated position — nominally allied with Rome while geographically exposed to Pontic naval pressure in the Aegean. The sanctuary of Asklepios at Kos gave the island unusual diplomatic insulation, as attacking a major healing sanctuary carried real political costs even for Mithridates VI.
SNG von Aulock 8176 places this piece within a prolific but chronologically loose series; precise die-study work on Koan bronzes of this period remains incomplete, leaving the internal sequencing of these issues unresolved.
Kos maintained its mint through the Mithridatic Wars despite the island's complicated position — nominally allied with Rome while geographically exposed to Pontic naval pressure in the Aegean. The sanctuary of Asklepios at Kos gave the island unusual diplomatic insulation, as attacking a major healing sanctuary carried real political costs even for Mithridates VI.
SNG von Aulock 8176 places this piece within a prolific but chronologically loose series; precise die-study work on Koan bronzes of this period remains incomplete, leaving the internal sequencing of these issues unresolved.