BOSPOROS. Pantikapaion. AV Stater (9.08 gms), ca. 340-325 B.C. NGC AU, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 2/5. Fine Style. Scratches, Edge Damage. 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. Founded by Greek colonists from Anatolia in what is now Crimea, Pantikapaion grew to great wealth by the abundance of fish from the Bosporus 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. This issue is struck exceptionally well and centered relatively nicely upon the flan. There are some scratches present, and a bit of edge damage that is hard to spot in the NGC encapsulation. With only a trace amount of wear existing on the high points of the design, this stunner is a desirable and <strong>RARELY </strong>seen piece of Grecian gold that is sure to capture the attention of all lovers of classical coins. Ex: Leu 33 (5/1983) Lot # 259.<p>Ex: Hess-Leu 45 (1970) Lot # 93.
