KINGS of BOSPORUS. Pharsanzes, with Valerian I. AD 253/4-254/5. BI Stater (19mm, 6.13 g, 12h). Dated Bosporan Era 550 (AD 253/4). Good VF.

Electronic Auction 613
Lot: 532. Estimated: $ 100

Roman Provincial, Bronze

Sold For $ 150. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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KINGS of BOSPORUS. Pharsanzes, with Valerian I. AD 253/4-254/5. BI Stater (19mm, 6.13 g, 12h). Dated Bosporan Era 550 (AD 253/4). Laureate and draped bust of Pharzanes right / Diademed bust of Valerian I right; two pellets to right, NΦ (date) below. Frolova p. 169-170, [rev. die unrecorded]; RPC IX 206; Anokhin 2090; MacDonald 627/2. Brown patina, edge flaws. Good VF. Rare.

A rare king, known only through his coinage, Pharsanzes is a controversial ruler, whose short-lived reign fell during that of Rhescuporis V. Whether he was an anti-Roman usurper, or a co-emperor of Rhescuporis (as both hypotheses have been suggested) remains unclear. The prevailing theory among scholars is that Pharsanazes usurped the throne of Rhescuporis V in AD 253 with the aid of the Borani, a Germanic tribe from the lower Danube region who were known for their raids across the Bosphorus Strait. A minority theory suggests that Rhescuporis V promoted Pharsanzes to co-emperor in the east to deal with the incoming raids. In either scenario, coinage of Pharsanzes ceased in under a year, the reason for this is uncertain. There is no record of him after the cessation of his coinage. Rhescuporis V continued to rule for another twenty one years.

Closing Date and Time: 15 July 2026 at 12:57:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.