Sale: CNG 66, Lot: 1037. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 19 May 2004.  Sold For $675. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of BOSPORUS. Sauromates II, with Commodus. 174-211 AD. Pale AV Stater (7.79 gm). Dated year 488 of the Bosporan Era (191/2 AD). Diademed and draped bust of Sauromates right / Laureate head of Commodus right; star before, date below. MacDonald 499 var. (star not recorded); Anokhin 569 var. (same); Frolova pg. 172 -/- var. (same). Good VF. ($500)

MacDonald noted that the fineness of the staters of Sauromates II varies greatly, from circa 50% pure to probably as low as 25%. This pale gold stater is an excellent example of those on the lower end of the scale.