Catalog
| Issuer | Chersonesos (Taurica) |
|---|---|
| Year | 177-192 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | |
| Currency | Drachm |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 6.87 g |
| Diameter | 26 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Anokhin#896 Khersonesa#273-274 , SNG Moskau#3671 IV.1#3716 , SNG Stancomb#958 |
| Obverse description | Laureate and draped bust of Chersonas to right; XEP and lyre before. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Greek |
| Obverse lettering |
XEP (Translation: Chersonas) |
| Reverse description | Female figure standing facing, head to right, holding spear and bow, wearing kalathos, stag at feet to left; Δ in left field. |
| Reverse script | Greek |
| Reverse lettering |
Δ EΛEΥΘEΡΑϹ (Translation: 4, of free) |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (177-192) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 3605583640 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This copper Æ issue from Chersonesos in Taurica dates to the reign of Emperor Commodus (177-192 AD), a period marking a significant transition in Roman imperial history. Chersonesos, a vital Greek colony on the Crimean Peninsula, maintained its civic autonomy while acknowledging Roman suzerainty through its coinage. These issues underscore the city's strategic importance as a Black Sea port and its integration into the broader Roman economic and political sphere, even as Commodus' rule diverged from his father's stoic principles.
Artistry: While the engraver remains anonymous, this coin exemplifies the provincial Roman stylistic school, blending local Greek artistic conventions with imperial iconography. The obverse would typically feature a portrait of Commodus, likely laureate, rendered with a characteristic provincial robustness, aiming for imperial likeness rather than refined detail. The reverse design, though unspecified, would invariably depict a local deity, civic symbol, or an allegorical representation pertinent to Chersonesos, reflecting the city's unique cultural identity within the empire.
Technical/Grading: Struck on a substantial copper flan measuring 26 mm and weighing 6.87 grams, this coin is a significant bronze issue. Typical high-points for wear or strike weakness on the obverse would include Commodus' hair, laurel wreath, and facial features. Provincial bronzes often display varying strike quality; common technical characteristics might include minor off-centering, uneven pressure leading to softer details on one side, or slight planchet irregularities. A well-struck example would show clear legends and a distinct, if not finely detailed, portrait.