Catalogo
| Emittente | Chersonesos (Taurica) |
|---|---|
| Anno | 190 BC - 180 BC |
| Tipo | Standard circulation coin |
| Valore | |
| Valuta | Drachm |
| Composizione | Bronze |
| Peso | 4.23 g |
| Diametro | 15 mm |
| Spessore | |
| Forma | Round (irregular) |
| Tecnica | Hammered |
| Orientamento | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Incisore/i | |
| In circolazione fino al | |
| Riferimento/i | Anokhin#782 Khersonesa#156 Sea#806-807 , SNG Pushkin 1.1#672 , Sutzu II#35 |
| Descrizione del dritto | Head of Artemis Parthenos right, wearing laurel wreath, bow and quiver behind neck. |
|---|---|
| Scrittura del dritto | |
| Legenda del dritto | |
| Descrizione del rovescio | Bull butting left, head facing; XEP above, AΓAΣIKΛ in exergue. |
| Scrittura del rovescio | Greek |
| Legenda del rovescio | XEP AΓAΣIKΛ |
| Bordo | |
| Zecca | |
| Tiratura |
ND (190 BC - 180 BC) - - |
| ID Numisquare | 7708633140 |
| Informazioni aggiuntive |
Historical Context: This bronze issue, struck in Chersonesos (Taurica) between 190 and 180 BC, belongs to the Hellenistic period, a time of shifting power dynamics in the Black Sea region. Chersonesos maintained its status as an independent Greek polis, governed by elected magistrates. The naming of Agasikles on this coinage underscores the city's autonomous administration and the magistrate's responsibility for currency integrity. These bronze denominations were essential for daily transactions, facilitating local commerce and providing necessary small change.
Artistry: Characteristic of Hellenistic civic bronzes, the engraver remains anonymous, focusing on clear, functional design. Chersonesos typically featured the head of Artemis, its patron goddess, on the obverse, rendered in a compact, idealized Hellenistic style. The reverse often depicted a stag, sacred to Artemis, accompanied by the magistrate's name, Agasikles. The small 15mm flan necessitated a concise artistic approach, prioritizing recognizable iconography within limited space.
Technical/Grading: Struck on a 15mm bronze flan weighing 4.23 grams, this coin reflects typical Hellenistic bronze production. Strike quality can vary significantly; often, issues exhibit off-centering or irregular flan shape. High points, such as Artemis's hair and facial features or a stag's antlers and musculature, are frequently susceptible to weak strike or wear. Collectors assess the clarity of the magistrate's name and overall device integrity, often first to suffer from circulation or imperfect striking.