Stater - Alexander III Kolchis imitation

Historical Context: This gold stater represents a Celto-Scythian imitation of an Alexander III type, referencing Kolchis, issued by the Bastarnae (100 BC - 100 AD). The Bastarnae, a mixed Germanic, Celtic, and Scythian group north of the Black Sea, produced these imitations for trade and prestige. Their adoption of Macedonian prototypes, likely via regional Kolchis issues, highlights Hellenistic coinage's enduring influence among groups on the classical world's periphery during the late Hellenistic to early Roman periods.

Artistry: Lacking a named engraver, this coin exemplifies the "barbarous imitation" school of Celto-Scythian workshops. Its style markedly departs from the classical Greek prototype, featuring simplified, angular, or abstract renditions of Alexander/Herakles's head and Zeus Aëtophoros. Details like hair, facial features, and drapery become schematic. While crude by classical standards, these variations offer unique insights into local artistic interpretations and the transformation of iconic imagery through copying.

Technical/Grading: For grading, key considerations include the degree of stylistic departure from the Kolchis prototype, often indicating minting generation. Strike quality, frequently off-center or weak, and flan integrity (often irregular) are important. The 4.16 gg weight, significantly lighter than an Attic stater, suggests a half-stater or deliberate debasement, crucial for authenticity and study. Preservation of stylized obverse and reverse details, despite artistic simplification, is paramount.