Triton XIX, Lot: 2046. Estimate $10000. Sold for $20000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of BOSPOROS. Asander. As archon, circa 47-43 BC. AV Stater (22mm, 8.25 g, 12h). Dated RY 4 (44/3 BC). Bare head right / APXONTOΣ AΣANΔPOY BOΣΠOPOY, Nike, holding wreath in extended right hand, cradling palm frond in left arm, standing left on prow left; ЄT Δ (date) across upper field, monogram to inner left. Frolova & Ireland § 6, 4 (O3/R4) = Natwoka 3a = SNG BM Black Sea 961 (same dies); Anokhin 1312 corr. (date); MacDonald 189/2 corr. (date; this coin illustrated); RPC I 1842.1 corr. (date); HGC 7, 199 corr. (date); DCA 447. EF, slight die wear and a couple minor cleaning marks on obverse, flan flaw on reverse. Extremely rare, second known year 4 stater (the other in the BM).

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Peus 361 (3 November 1999), lot 58.

The date of this issue has long been debated, with some numismatists reading the delta as an alpha, but the die studies of Natwoka and Frolova & Ireland conclusively show that this issue must be dated year 4.