Æ 7.23g, 20mm, 11h.
Circa 325-310 BCE
Head of bearded Satyr to right / Π-Α-Ν around forepart of griffin to left; sturgeon to left below
MacDonald 69; SNG BM Black Sea 869-71; SNG Stancomb 542; HGC 7, 113
I admit that this coin doesn’t fit perfectly in my collection. While it’s from the right time period, Alexander the Great never controlled the city. Nor did he or one of his generals even attack it (though one attempted to take Olbia).
However, it’s just too cool looking. This has to be one of the all time most beautiful ancient bronze coins, and its abundance has led to a collapse in prices. So, I picked one up.
Since Pantikapaion was right across the sea from Alexander’s kingdom, they must have traded. Clearly Pantikapaion was affected by the invasion in multiple ways, and I’m sure the sent an emissary to Alexander to discuss something or the other.
Circa 300 BCE
AE 2.30g, 15mm
Head of youg Pan left.
Bow, arrow “ΠAN”
MacDonald 116
ca 109 – 105 BCE
Ae 12.4mm, 1.8gms
Obv: Star of eight rays, P-A-N-T-I-K-A-P between rays
Rev: Tripod
SNG Black Sea 941-4
Pantikapaion is founded by settlers from Miletos.
Pharnakes II retreats north and takes Pantikapaion and Theodosia.