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Abstract

The paper discuses 204 coins retrieved during the 2018 and 2019 archaeological excavations at the ancient settlement of Chekups 2, located in Sindica, 2.2 km southeast of Labrys (the Semibratnee Settlement). The coins constitute a reliable numismatic profile of the region, and also refl ect the various periods of tension in the life of the Chekups-2 settlement. Generally, the numismatic material from the Chekups-2 settlement covers the timespan from the last quarter of the 5th century BC to the turn of the 2nd/3rd centuries AD. The greatest intensity of life, judging by the numismatic material, falls on the last third of the 4th to the mid-3rd century BC. 152 coins have come down from this time. Then the decline lasted in the second half of the 3rd to the 2nd and 1st centuries BC: the only obol of Leucon II came from the third quarter of the 3rd century BC, while only 15 coins are dated to 2nd century BC. One coin each falls on the reigns of Mithridates VI Eupator (from Amisus?) and Polemo I (issue in the name of Caesarea/ Panticapaeum). A new rise of the settlement begins with the reign of Aspurgus and reaches a peak under Sauromates Ι and his successors (34 coins.). The heavily worn sestertii of Sauromates Ι and Eupator countermarked with the bust of Septimius Severus (or Caracalla?) came from the turn of the 2nd/3rd centuries AD. Thus, numismatic materials specify the dating of the functioning of the Chekups 2 settlement.

Keywords

Cimmerian Bosporus, Sindica, settlement of Chekups-2, Labrys, excavation coins, currency.

Mikhail G. Abramzon, Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia; Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Magnitogorsk, Russia, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dmitriy G. Barinov, Autonomous non-profit research organization “Local History Center”, Engels, Russia, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Andrey B. Kolesnikov, Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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