Catalog
Æ20 - Polemon I
| Issuer | Bosporan Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Year | 16 BC - 8 BC |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 6.9 g |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | A lion depicted in a bounding or pouncing attitude to the right, rendered in a bold, schematic style characteristic of Bosporan civic bronze coinage. A six-pointed star occupies the upper field above the animal. The flan is irregular and the surfaces show heavy patination consistent with ancient struck bronze, with no encircling legend. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | ND (16 BC - 8 BC) |
| Additional information |
Polemon I came to the Bosporan throne not through dynastic succession but through Roman appointment — Augustus backed him as part of a broader effort to stabilize the northern Black Sea frontier after the collapse of the Mithridatic line. His reign was less a settled kingship than a prolonged military struggle; he spent much of it fighting to assert actual control over territories nominally under his rule, and was ultimately killed in battle against the Aspurgiani around 8 BC, the likely terminus of this issue.