KINGS OF THE BOSPOROS: Thothorses with uncertain emperor, 285-308, Dated BE 595=AD 298/9, BI Stater. 7.15g, 19.5mm.
Obv: ΘOΘωPCOV ΒΑCΙΛЄωC, diademed and draped bust of Thothorses right, three pellets before.
Rev: Laureate and draped bust of Roman emperor right, tamgha of Thothorses before, ЄPΦ (date) below, three pellets behind.
Anokhin 743b.
The kingdom of the Bosporus was a wealthy, multi-ethnic Hellenistic trading nation based in the Crimea and Taman peninsula, and the longest lasting Roman client kingdom. One important basis for their wealth was the slave trade. Ironically, their dynasty descended from Rome’s great enemy, Mithridates VI of Pontus.