CNG 84, Lot: 576. Estimate $15000. Sold for $18000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of BOSPOROS. Asander. As archon, circa 47-43 BC. AV Stater (21mm, 8.22 g, 12h). Dated RY 2 (46/5 BC). Bare head right / APXONTOΣ AΣANΔPOY BOΣΠOPOY, Nike standing on prow of galley left, holding wreath in extended right hand and palm frond in left; ЄT B (date) across upper field, monogram and Φ to inner left. Frolova I, 2 (V1/R2); MacDonald 190; Anokhin 222; RPC I 1843; SNG BM Black Sea -. VF, softly struck, small spade mark. Extremely rare, the second known (the other in the BN).

From the Alex Shubs Collection.

As on the Paris coin, the monogram on this example is unclear. Close inspection, however, shows indications that the monogram may have actually been erased in the die prior to striking.

After defeating Pharnakes II in 47 BC, Asander hoped that Caesar would recognize him as king of Bosporos. Instead, in 46 BC Caesar appointed Mithradates of Pergamon, the illegitimate son of Mithradates VI Eupator and a personal friend. Asander, however, subsequently defeated and killed Mithradates. To support his claim to the throne, Asander married Dynamis, the daughter of Pharnakes II, but for the first four years of his reign, he claimed the title ‘archon’ only, rather than that of ‘basileus.’ The reason for this may be that as Rome had formally recognized the archon Pharnakes II as king, Asander was hoping they would do the same on his behalf – a hope confirmed by Octavian in 43 BC. Consequently, all of Asander’s regnal dates are reckoned from his first year as archon (circa 47/6 BC).