KINGS OF BOSPOROS. Pharnakes, circa 63-46 BC. Stater (Gold, 19 mm, 8.13 g, 12 h), Pantikapaion, BE 245 = 53/2 BC. Diademed head of Pharnakes to right. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ / ΒΑΣΙΛΕ-ΩΝ - ΜΕΓΑΛΟΥ / ΦΑΡΝΑΚΟΥ Apollo seated left on throne, holding branch in his extended right hand and resting his left arm on kithara set on ground; to left, tripod; in field to right, ΕΜΣ (date). Golenko & Karyszkowski: The Gold Coinage of King Pharnaces of the Bosporus, in: NC 1972, pl. 2, 3-4. HGC 7, 198. MacDonald 184/1. Very rare and in exceptional condition for the issue, with a wonderful Mithradatic portrait. Light doubling on the obverse and with small edge marks, otherwise, about extremely fine.

Pharnakes (sometimes called Pharnakes II) was a son of King Mithridates VI of Pontos, one of Rome’s greatest enemies. After his father’s defeat in war against Pompey, he fled to Crimea and hatched desperate plans to march through the Balkans into Italy - much like Hannibal once did, coming from the West. However, his remaining loyal followers, led by none other than his own son Pharnakes, turned against him. As a result, Mithridates took his own life. Pompey acknowledged Pharnakes as ruler of the Bosporan Kingdom, installing him as a Roman client king. His fortunes changed, however, when he became entangled in the Roman civil war that erupted in 49 BC. Seizing the opportunity, he attempted to reclaim his father’s kingdom by invading Asia Minor. After early victories, Pharnakes faced a swift response from Julius Caesar, who, having broken free from the siege of Alexandria, marched rapidly to confront him. On 21 May 47 BC, Caesar decisively crushed Pharnakes at the Battle of Zela. Following this swift victory, Caesar is said to have uttered the famous words: Veni, vidi, vici - 'I came, I saw, I conquered'.