Pages: 105-111

The article describes and proves reading monogram “” known on tetradrachms coinage of Mithridates VI Eupator Dionysius. It was found in the acronym that encoded the name of his son — Machares, and an indication of his post. On this basis, we concluded that the tetradrachms with this monogram were commemorative coins in honor of the new governor of the Bosporus, issued in the first year of his reign. Availability of differents “B”, “Δ” and “Г” enabled us to conclude that these coins were minted in the mints of the strategies of Bosporus, Dioskurias and Gorgippia. If our arguments are correct, we managed not only to decipher the monogram “”, but also to clarify the administrative structure of the Bosporus Kingdom under the first Achaemenids.

Keywords: Bosporus, Machares, Mithridates, monogram, numismatics, strategy, stater, Taurica, tetradrachm, Pharnaces

Information about author:

Michael Choref (Tyumen, Russia). Institute for Humanities, Tyumen State University
E-mail: [email protected]