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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;dougsmit, post: 2939972, member: 19463&quot;]If I understand the concept here correctly, my most recent snacks were these two bronzes of the Bosporos showing their king and the then current Roman emperor.&nbsp; This general type coin was issued during the days of Augustus and passed through periods with popular gold issues but by the time of this pair the series had degenerated in step with the Roman coins of that same period.&nbsp; The show dealer had two coins at $15 each so I bought both.&nbsp; I have no idea what they are worth on the normal market and suspect the (lack of) demand explained why the dealer was not asking more.&nbsp; Studying up a bit on them, I discover some disagreement even on who is shown.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>First we have an AE stater of king Thothorses dated ΓQΦ&nbsp; or 593 which works out to about 297 AD.&nbsp; Some will say the Roman emperor shown could be any of the Tetrarchs while others say the portrait shows Diocletian who was, after all, the senior ruler in the East and would be known best in the Bosporos.&nbsp; What I see is a finely chiseled face of a noble Roman who I can accept as Diocletian on a very well centered flan.&nbsp; Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I be holdin&#039; this one at the moment.&nbsp; You can imagine most letters of <i>ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΘΟΘΩΡΣΟΥ </i>and the entire tamgha is clear on the reverse.&nbsp; What more could you ask?&nbsp; Let&#039;s call it a proof. <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie59" alt=":joyful:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]715771[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Less perfect and more mysterious is an AE stater of Rhadamsades.&nbsp; The obverse is not well centered and shows <i>ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ </i>at the right rather than the king&#039;s name.&nbsp; The date is very bold (and probably why I bought the coin) AIX or 611 (~315 AD) allowing the face to represent Constantine or Licinius.&nbsp; I choose Licinius.&nbsp; What is represented in front of his face?</p><p>[ATTACH=full]715785[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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