Bosporos. Pantikapaion. AV Stater

BOSPOROS. Pantikapaion. AV Stater (9.10 gms), ca. 340-325 B.C. NGC AU, Strike: 5/5 Surface: 4/5. Fine Style. 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 through the abundance of fish from the Bosporos and wheat. The importance of wheat is evidenced by the griffin balancing upon a grain of wheat on the reverse.

A premium example, estimate is $150k to $175k.