From the last CNG e-auction. I bid it up too high for resale, but when I got it yesterday it was just too lovely in hand to let it go. The surfaces are so wonderful, a nice chocolate brown patina, and the picture is just nothing compared to it in hand. So, I fall victim like so many other dealers. I keep what I like! It's not the best example I have handled, but I simply like it. Post your Bosporos coins! CIMMERIAN BOSPOROS, Pantikapaion. Circa 310-304/3 BC. Æ (20mm, 7.31 g, 12h). Bearded head of satyr right / Forepart of griffin left; below, fish left. Anokhin 1023; MacDonald 69; HGC 7, 113. VF, brown surfaces with green hues.
One day I will get myself one of these. There are so many high quality affordable coins of this type and the griffin looks so cool.
That's a WONDERFUL example!!! I've lost a few I bid for simply because they went far higher than estimate and way beyond my budget.. Hope to snag one soon.
Oh, that one is very nice! I have a couple: Cimmerian Bosporus, Pantikapaion Æ20, 5.6g, 12h; 304-250 BC Obv.: Head of Pan left, wreathed in ivy. Rev.: ΠAN, Bow and arrow. Here's my newest... Cimmerian Bosporos, Pantikapaion AE17, 4.6g, 6h; c. 325-310 BC. Obv.: Head of Satyr left. Rev.: Π-A-N; Head of bull left
This is very true. When a certain type is plentiful (as these are now) it is the time to buy. I will likely keep an eye out for other types to add.
I do not really collect Greek, but, WOW, Ken! Gorgeous capture! Nice job... I bet the pic does not do it justice when you have it in hand!
In 1991 I bought a pair of Pantikapion bronzes with two sided countermarks (star/bowcase). The second one was a cast with the countermark cast in when made so all the specimens had the marks in the same place. I thought at the time that was an interesting feature but none were attractive enough to be in demand then or now. I never heard details on who applied the marks or why.
I bought a group lot of these really cheap, but really, only two are in fair shape. Yours looks marvelous. And one I got from Doug
Wow, Ken => man, that's a gorgeous example (congrats) I have a handful of cool Bosporian examples ... wanna see 'em? Cimmerian Bosporus, Pantikapaion Bosporian Kings, Sauromates I, AE 48 Units Oh, and a couple of cool counter-mark examples ... Kings of Bosporos Sauromates II - c-punches => Sep Sev is looking awesome in the incuse punches, eh?!!
I like coins of Panticipaeum (spelled various ways) and the Kingdom of the Bosporus (= Bosporos). Perhaps my favorite is this big type MacDonald 59 (listed as only 26 mm, but this one is 28 mm). 12.73 grams. Not tooled. Be aware that a high percentage of coins of the northern Black Sea region are tooled, "strengthened," smoothed, or repatinated.
ahahaha, which one?!! (most of the Bosporian coins look tooled to me) If you're talking about the Sauromates-I then I totally agree with you "and dougsmit" ... yah, I'm fairly sure I bought that baby about 5 years ago, before I knew what tooled and smoothed were all about (I almost cried when Doug pointed-out its flaws => and now you're taking me back there once again) ... just jokes ... The two countermark babies seem fine enough ... I bought the fourth example from CNG (as you know, they're kinda crooked at times) Hey, but thanks for keeping me honest, Ardy (I always appreciate coin comments) Cheers, coin-bro
The fact remains that they must teach coin tooling in kindergarten over there because we see so many Bosporus region coins tooled to this degree. It is enough to make me want to avoid the coins tooled or not. I only have one (Sauromates I AE28).
I have a similar coin and story, Steve. When I bought this Sauromates I a few years ago I didn't know about smoothing and tooling KINGS OF BOSPORUS, Sauromates I CE 93/4-123/4 AE 48 units (29mm, 10.84 gm, 12h) Obv: diademed, draped bust of Sauromates left Rev: Nike advancing left, holding wreath, flanked by mark of value M-H, all within wreath Ref: MacDonald 397/2
CIMMERIAN BOSPOROS, Pantikapaion. Circa 310-304/3 BC. Æ (21mm, 7.02 g, 11h). Bearded head of satyr right / Forepart of griffin left; below, fish left. MacDonald 69; Anokhin 1023; HGC 7, 113.
