BOSPOROS. Pantikapaion. AV Stater (9.08 gms), ca. 340-325 B.C. NGC MS, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. Fine Style. HGC-7, 20; MacDonald-54; SNG BM Black Sea-864. Obverse: Head of Pan left, wearing ivy wreath; Reverse: Griffin, holding spear in its mouth, standing left on grain ear, with head facing and forepaw raised.
An exceptionally provocative and tantalizing example, this wondrous specimen presents great centering upon each side, with all design elements captured remarkably well upon the flan. Meanwhile, the facial features in Pan seemingly bring him to left, with the intense lustrous brilliance enveloping all of the devices augmenting its flair that much more. A <strong>VERY RARE</strong> and extremely impressive rendition of the type.<
Founded by Greek colonists from Anatolia in what is now Crimea, Pantikapaion grew to great wealth by the abundance of fish from the Bosporos and an excess of wheat. The importance of wheat to the Panikapaions is evidenced by the griffin balancing upon a grain of wheat on the reverse of this gold issue.</em>
