Catalog
| Issuer | Bosporan Kingdom (Bosporos) |
|---|---|
| Year | 117-123 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | Sestertius (48) |
| Currency | Bosporan Units |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 12.31 g |
| Diameter | 26 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Anokhin#1589 , MacDonald#408 III#875 Bosporos#456 , BMC Greek#25 |
| Obverse description | Curule chair with wreath upon it; in left field, shield; in r .field, sceptre with king’s head at top. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Greek |
| Obverse lettering |
ΒΑϹΙΛΕωϹ ϹΑΥΡΟΜΑΤΟΥ (Translation: of King Sauromates) |
| Reverse description | Wreath. |
| Reverse script | Greek |
| Reverse lettering |
MH (Translation: 48 [units]) |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
ND (117-123) - - |
| Numisquare ID | 8024022500 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This Sestertius was issued by Sauromates I, one of the most prominent kings of the Bosporan Kingdom, reigning from 117 to 123 AD. His era was marked by a period of relative peace and stability for the Bosporan state, a crucial Roman client kingdom in the Black Sea region. Sauromates I maintained strong diplomatic ties with the Roman Empire, a relationship vital for the kingdom's prosperity and autonomy. The issuance of a Sestertius, a denomination echoing the Roman imperial bronze coinage, underscores the significant economic and cultural influence Rome exerted over its client states, even as these were locally struck issues for internal circulation.
Artistry: The engraver responsible for this coin, as is typical for most provincial issues of this period, remains anonymous. The stylistic school evident is a blend of late Hellenistic and Roman provincial portraiture. The obverse typically features a laureate or diademed bust of Sauromates I, rendered with an attempt at individualistic portraiture, reflecting contemporary Roman imperial models while retaining a distinct local flavor. The reverse often depicts a deity or a royal emblem, executed in a style that, while not always reaching the refined precision of metropolitan Roman issues, effectively conveys its intended iconography and regal authority.
Technical/Grading: Struck in copper, this Sestertius weighs 12.31 grams and measures 26 millimeters, indicating a substantial bronze issue for its time and region. Key high-points for wear on the obverse portrait would typically include the hair, nose, and chin, while on the reverse, any central figures or prominent emblems would show the earliest signs of attrition. Bosporan bronzes often exhibit variability in strike quality; flans can be somewhat irregular, and centering may not always be perfect. Areas of flatness are common, but well-preserved examples will retain clear details in the portrait and reverse design, offering valuable insight into the numismatic production of the Bosporan Kingdom.