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Sestertius - Kotys II
| Issuer | Bosporan Kingdom (Bosporos) |
|---|---|
| Year | 123-124 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | ΒΑϹΙΛΕωϹ ΚΟΤΥΟϹ (Translation: [coin] of King Cotys) |
| Reverse description | Within a laurel wreath tied at the base, the large Greek numeral MH occupies the central field, denoting the denomination of 48 Bosporan units. An oval object, possibly a boss or pellet, appears at the top of the wreath above the letters. The wreath is rendered with carefully delineated leaves and berries, framing the denomination in a manner consistent with standard Bosporan bronze issues of the reign of Kotys II. The overall design is simple and boldly struck, emphasizing legibility of the value mark. |
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| Additional information |
Kotys II ruled the Bosporan Kingdom as a client of Rome under Hadrian, and this issue dates precisely to the period when Hadrian was actively reorganizing Rome's eastern client relationships during his early imperial tours. The Bosporan kingdom had long maintained its autonomy by supplying grain and military buffer capacity along the northern Black Sea coast — a practical arrangement both parties sustained carefully.
Bosporan copper sestertii of this reign are thinly documented in major collections, with SNG Stancomb representing one of the few systematic efforts to catalog this peripheral coinage.