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M.G. Abramzon (Magnitogorsk) – Dioscurias and Pontic Coins of the Age of Mithradates VI from Phanagoria (Excavations 1996–2022)

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Abstract

The paper discusses single coins of Dioscurias, Pontus and Paphlagonia of the Mithridatic period retrieved during the archaeological excavations at Phanagoria between 1996 and 2022. With the exception of a single Mithridatic tetradrachm found in the royal residence on the acropolis, all coins are copper. Pontic anonymous copper from c. 130–100 BC is the earliest coin. The remaining coins (isolated specimens, as well as those in hoards and purses of mercenaries) came from the mints of Amisus, Amaseia, Amastris, Pimolisa, Sinope, Gaziura, Taulara, Pharnaceia, and Chabakta. The presence of a noticeable amount of Pontic copper in Phanagoria is explained both by the unification of the currency in Pontus and Bosporus under Eupator, and by the use of specific coinages to pay wages for mercenaries, who were paid mainly in anonymous Bosporan obols and Pontic copper coins of largest denominations.

Keywords

Cimmerian Bosporus, Phanagoria, Mithridates VI, excavation coins, monetary currency, numismatic profile.

Mikhail G. Abramzon

Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Magnitogorsk, Russia

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