Ancient Coinage of Scythia


[Moushmov 5811/SNG Stancomb 317 of Akrosander]

Coins issued by The Kingdom of the Scythians, also known as Little Scythia, an enclave of Scythians in northern Thrace, ca 250-100 BC.


Note: The coins on this page are listed in alphabetical order according to King. The coins of the Sindi are at the end.

Browse the Scythia page with thumbnail images.

ADRASPUS, 1st half of 2nd cent. BC
Adraspus
Moushmov 5813
Kings of Scythia, Adraspus AE25mm. Jugate heads of the Dioskuri right, wearing laureate, conical helmets / BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΔΡAΣΠOY, eagle standing on thunderbolt right, ME monogram below.TextImage
TextImage
AILIOS, ca 180-150 BC
Ailios
Canarache 35
Ailios, king of Scythia. ca 180-150 BC. AE17, 4.53 g. Head of Helios facing. / BAΣIΛE AIΛIOΣ, two stars, one above the other, oMT monogram below. Canarache 35; BMC Black Sea 356-357 corr (monogram described as "globe on standard"); SNG Stancomb, 321; Draganov 44.TextImage
Ailios
Draganov 40
Ailios, King of Scythia, AE20. 3.38 g. ca 180-150 BC. Jugate heads of the Dioskuri right, wearing laureate pilei / BAΣIΛEΩΣ AIΛIOΣ, jugate foreparts of two horses right. TK monogram below. Draganov 40; Gerasimov 1938, 213; Canarache 1950, 33.TextImage
Ailios
Leu 19, 166
Ailios, king of Scythia. AE17, 4.61 g. Radiate head of Helios facing. / BAΣIΛE AIΛIOΣ to right and left of two six rayed stars, one above the other, ΠΔE monogram below. Unpublished monogram. Not in Canarache, Draganov, SNG Black Sea, Stancomb, Petac, Minns etc. Leu 19, 166.TextImage
Ailios
SNG Stancomb 320
Aelios, King of Scythia, ca 180-150 BC. AE 22mm. Jugate heads of the Dioskouroi right, in wreathed pilei / BAΣIΛEΩΣ AIΛIOΣ, jugate heads of two horses right; ΠE and AI monograms below. Draganov 41; SNG Stancomb 320.TextImage
AKROSAS/AKROSANDER, ca 200-180 BC
Akrosander
Draganov 55
Akrosander, King of Syria. ca 200-180 BC. 3.03 g. Laureate, bearded head of Zeus right / BAΣI AKΡO, cornucopiae, EY below. Draganov 55.TextImage
Akrosander
Draganov 57
Akrosander, King of Syria. ca 100 BC. AE21, 7.42 g. Veiled, jugate heads of Demeter and Kore right, both wreathed with corn / BAΣIΛE AKΡOΣA to right and left, ANΔΡE below, two upright grain ears. Draganov 57; Canarache (1933-1934) 19-20.TextImage
Akrosander
Moushmov 5809
Akrosa, ca 200-180 BC. AE 22 mm. Jugate heads of Demeter and Persephone right / Two corn-ears.TextImage
Akrosander
Moushmov 5810
Kingdom of Scythia, Akrosa AE26. 200-180 BC. Jugate heads of the Dioskuri right in pilei / BAΣIΛEΩΣ AKΡOΣA ANΔ, jugate horses' heads right. TextImage
Akrosander
Moushmov 5811
Akrosasander, King of Scythia. 200-180 BC. AE 24mm. Jugate heads of the Dioskouroi, in wreathed caps / BAΣIΛEOΣ AKΡOΣA ANΔΡE, jugate horses' heads right. SNG Stancomb 317.TextImage
Akrosander
Moushmov 5812
Akrosander, King Scythia, 200-180 BC, AE16. Laureate, bearded head of Zeus right / BAΣIΛE AKΡOΣ Π, Cornucopiae, AN below.TextImage
Akrosander
SNG Stancomb 317
Akrosander, King of Scythia. AE. 200-180 BC. 5.83 gr. Jugate heads of the Dioskouri right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ AKΡOΣ ANΔΡE, Jugate foreparts of two horses right. SNG Stancomb 317.TextImage
ATAIAS, 350-339 BC
BMC 200Ataias, Scythian Kingdom, AR drachm, 350-339 BC. 19mm, 5.75 g. Struck in Kallatis. Artemis head right, bow and quiver over shoulder. / ATAIA, Scythian horseman galloping left, drawing bow, quiver and bowcase at his side, KAΛ beneath the horse. SNG BMC Black Sea 200; Imhoof GRM 11; Hill 5 in NC 1911.TextImage
Ataias
Draganov 1
Ataias, Scythian Kingdom, AR Didrachm, 350-339 BC. 19.9 mm, 7.02 g. Head of Herakles left, wearing lionskin headdress / ATAIAΣ, Scythian horseman galloping left, drawing bow, quiver and bowcase at his side, dot below. Draganov 1; Anokhin (Hermitage) 3-15; Nechitaylo and Michailov 8; Stolyarik 1.1-1.3 (in ANJ 13).TextImage
CHARASPES, ca 180-150 BC
Charaspes
BMC 350
Charaspes, King of Scythia. AE. 2nd c. BC. 11.17 gr. Jugate heads of the Dioskouri right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ XAΡAΣΠOY, eagle standing right on large thunderbolt. ME monogram below. SNG Black Sea 350; Draganov 49; Regling 259; ; SNG Stancomb 305; Juroukova, Ancient Thraciens, 127.TextImage
Hoover HCG 2024Charaspes, King of Scythia. AE19. 3-2nd c. BC. 5.37 g. Possibly Mesembria mint. Diademed female head right. / BAΣIΛEΩΣ XAΡAΣΠOY, lyre. ME monogram below. Hoover HGC 2024; Peykov G2020.TextImage
CHORESMIA, 1st c. BC
Choresmia
MACW 1879
Choresmia, Scythian Kingdom at Balkh, AE18mm Drachm. ca 1st century BC. Stylized head of Hermaios right / corrupt Greek legend, horse standing left. TextImage
KANITES, ca 100 BC
Kanites
Alram 7
Kanites, King of Scythia. ca 100 BC. AE18. Head of Hermes right in petasos / BAΣI KANI, AΠOΛ below, caduceus and palm branch. Draganov 20; Canarache (1950), 16a.TextImage
Kanites
Draganov 12
Kanites, King of Scythia. AE23, ca 100 BC. 6.44 g. Jugate heads of Demeter and Kore right / BAΣIΛE KANI to right and left of two torches with a stalk of corn between them. AΡIΣ below. Draganov 12; Alram 3; Moushmov Sofia 5816; Hoover HGC 1997.TextImage
Kanites
Draganov 22
Kanites, King of Scythia. AE22, ca 100 BC. Veiled head of Kanites right, wearing kyrbasia / BAΣIΛEOΣ KANITOY, cornucopiae with corn ears. BAK below. Draganov 22; Hoover HGC 2000.TextImage
Kanites
Draganov 24
Kanites, King of Syria. ca 100 BC. 4.77 g. Laureate head of Apollo right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ KANITOY, tripod altar, BAK below. Draganov 24; SNG Stancomb 308; Alram 6.TextImage
Kanites
Draganov 25
Kanites, King of Scythia. AE15. Ca 160-100 BC. Magistrate Bak.. 3.73 g. Head of Hermes right, wearing petasos. / BAΣIΛE KANI to right and left of palm branch and caduceus. BAK below. Draganov 25; Canarache 1933-1934, 16; Alram 1986, 7.TextImage
Kanites
Draganov 26
Kanites, King of Scythia. AE16, ca 100 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lionskin headdress / BAΣI KANI, club and bow. BAK below. Draganov 26; Hoover HGC 2011; SNG Stancomb 316.TextImage
Kanites
Draganov 29
Kanites, King of Scythia. AE19, ca 100 BC. Head of Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy / BAΣIΛEΩΣ KANITOY, thyrsos and grape bunch. ΠΛΡ monogram below. Draganov 29.TextImage
Kanites
Draganov 30
Kanites, King of Scythia. AE23, ca 100 BC. Diademed head of Zeus right / BAΣI-KANI to right and left of thunderbolt. TA monogram below. Draganov 30.TextImage
Kanites
Draganov 31
Kanites, King of Scythia. AE15, ca 100 BC. Veiled head of Demeter right, wreathed with corn / BAΣI-KANI to right and left of corn ear. TA monogram below. Draganov 31; SNG Stancomb 312.TextImage
Kanites
Moushmov 5814
Kanites, King of Scythia. AE23, ca 100 BC. Jugate veiled heads of Demeter and Kore right, wearing wreaths of corn / BAΣIΛEΩΣ KANITOY, downwards to left and right, two stalks of corn upright, BAK below. Moushmov 5814; Draganov 21; Tacchella (1903), 31; SNG Stancomb 314.TextImage
Kanites
SNG BM 351
Kanites, King of Scythia, ca 100 BC. AE 21. 5.16 gr. Head of Apollo right / BAΣI-KANI to left and right of bunch of grapes and pronged staff. Draganov 33; SNG BM 351.TextImage
Kanites
SNG Stancomb 310
Kanites, King of Scythia. ca 100 BC. AE 23mm. Veiled and wreathed head of Demeter right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ KANITOY, ΠOΛY below, upright torch and grain ear. Draganov 11; SNG Stancomb 310.TextImage
PHARZOIOS, ca. AD 69-96
Pharzoios
Anokhin 589
Pharzoios, AV stater, Olbia mint. 19 mm, 7 g. Diademed head of Pharzoius, right, winged caduceus before chin. / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΦAΡZOIOΣ above and beneath eagle standing right. OΛ over ΣΠAΡ monogram in right field. Anokhin 589; Karyshkovskij 458.TextImage
Pharzoios
Stancomb 930
Pharzoios, AV stater, Olbia mint. 18 mm, 8.28 g. Diademed head of Pharzoius, right, ΠΦ monogram beneath the neck. / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΦAΡZOIOΣ above and beneath eagle standing right on symbol resembling a double-ended caduceus. OΛ over ΣΠAΡ monogram in right field. RPC II, 492A; Oberlander in Cercetari Numismatice XII-XIII (this coin); Stancomb 930 (this coin); Jameson IV, 2537.TextImage
SADALES I (father of Kotys II) , ca 87-58 BC
Sadales
SNG BM 314
Sadales I, King of Scythia. ca 87-58 BC. AE Tetras. 2.03 g. Diademed, male head right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣAΔAΛOY, eagle standing left on thunderbolt. BMC Black Sea 314.TextImage
SARIAKOS, ca 180-150 BC
Sariakos
Draganov 64
Sariakos, King of Scythia. ca 180-150 BC. AE 24mm, 7.90 g. Head of Herakles right, wearing lion's skin headdress / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣAΡIAKOY, Bow, quiver and grain ear. ΠYΡ monogram upwards in the centre. Draganov 64.TextImage
Sariakos
Draganov 65
Sariakos, King of Scythia, AE24. ca 180-150 BC. 9.54g. Head of Herakles right wearing lionskin / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣAΡIAKOY, grain ear, bow and quiver, ΠYΡ monogram in the centre. countermark: thunderbolt. Draganov 65; Manov 956.TextImage
Sariakos
Draganov 65 (2)
Sariakos, King of Syria. ca 180-150 BC. AE21, 7.24 g. Head of youthful Herakles right, wearing lionskin headdress / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣAΡIAKOY, quiver, bow and grain-ear. Star in upper centre. ΠYΡ monogram in the centre. Draganov 65; Manov 956.TextImage
Sariakos
Draganov 73
Sariakos, King of Scythia, Sariakos, ca 180-150 BC. AE25. Laureate and bearded head of Zeus right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣAΡIA, eagle standing right on thunderbolt. Draganov 73; Manov 958; Talmatchi-Andreescu 14-15.TextImage
Sariakos
Draganov 77
Sariakos, King of Syria. 2nd c. BC. AE 2.20 g. Head of Hermes right, wearing petatos / BAΣI ΣAΡI, caduceus. Draganov 77; Alram 18; Canarache (1933-1934) 27; SNG Stancomb 327.TextImage
Sariakos
Draganov 78
Sariakos, King of Scythia. AE13, ca 180-150 BC. Crested helmet with cheek pieces / BAΣI ΣAΡI above and beneath thunderbolt. Draganov 78; SNG Stancomb 328.TextImage
Sariakos
Moushmov 5806
Sariakos, King of Scythia. ca 180-150 BC. AE 17 mm. Laureate head of Apollo right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣAΡIAKOΣ, grain ear on left and club on right. TextImage
Sariakos
Moushmov 5806
Sariakos, King of Scythia. ca 180-150 BC. AE 17 mm. Laureate head of Apollo right / BAΣI ΣAΡI, grain ear on left and club on right. TextImage
Sariakos
Moushmov 5806
type 2
Sariakos, King of Scythia. ca 180-150 BC. AE15, 3.40 gr. Head of Apollo right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΣAΡIAK to left and right of club on left and corn ear on right, monogram above. Moushmov 5806.TextImage
Sariakos
Moushmov 5807
Sariakos, King of Scythia, ca 180-150 BC. AE18. Veiled head of Demeter right, wreathed with corn / BAΣIΛE ΣAΡIAK, two upright corn ears. Draganov 74; Canarache (1933-1934) 25; Alram 14; SNG Stancomb 325; Mionnet Supp. III, 1.TextImage
Sariakos
Moushmov 5815
Sariakos, King of Scythia, AE25. Laureate head of Zeus right / BAΣIΛE ΣAΡI, eagle standing right on thunderbolt. Draganov 73; Talmatchi and Andreescu 14-15.TextImage
Sariakos
SNG Stancomb 328
Sariakos, King of Scythia, AE13. ca 180-150 BC. Helmet with horse-tail crest / BAΣI ΣAΡI, six-pointed star. Draganov 78; SNG Stancomb 328.Text
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Sariakos
Yurukova 131
Sariakos, King of Scythia. ca 180-150 BC. AE13, 2.01 gr. Veiled head of Demeter right, wreathed with corn / SARI(?) DHMO to left and right of two corn-ears. Yurukova 1.131.TextImage
SAUMAKOS, ca 120-63 BC date?
Saumakos coinageTwo coin types are known for Saumakos, usually with the reverse legend BAΣI ΣAYM. I have been unable to find an example image of either.
AR; Head of Helios right/Bull’s head right with HB or HE monogram to right. (Berlin, in ZfN 1888 as small sketch)
AE: Head of Helios facing/winged thunderbolt (BMC Black Sea 352)
SKILUROS, ca 115-108 BC
Von Köhne 10Skiluros. King of Scythia. AE tetralepton, ca 115-108 BC. Head of Hermes right, wearing petatos / BAΣIΛE ΣKIΛOYΡOY above and beneath caduceus with handle on the right. Von Köhne 10 in Berliner Blätter 1865.TextImage
SKYLES, ca 470-460 BC
Anokhin 568–569 varSkyles, King of Scythia. AE39, ca. 465-445 BC. 34.27 g. Nikonion mint. ΣKY, Owl standing left, head facing. / Wheel with four spokes, each with cross-member. B between two of the spokes. Anokhin 568–569 var (denomination); Necheetaypo and Mechaypov 33-34 var (ditto).TextImage
Anokhin 571Scythian Kings, Skyles. Ca 470-460 BC. AE13mm, 1.40 g. Nikonion mint. Owl standing left, head facing / Large ΣK. Anokhin 571.TextImage
UNCERTAIN
UncertainScythia, Uncertain (The Dahae?). Circa 1st century BC. AR Drachm. Crude head left with trace of a beard / Blank. Cf. Senior p. 215, A8. TextImage
THE SINDI, Early 2nd cent. BC, a Scythian tribe on the east coast of the Black Sea.
Anokhin 42Scythia, The Sindi AR Hemidrachm. Circa 425-400 BC. Head of Herakles right, wearing lionskin headdress / ΣINΔΩN, horse's head right in incuse square. SNG BM Black Sea 1008. TextImage
Anokhin_59Sarmatia. The Sindoi. Circa 450-400 BC. AR Diobol. griffin sitting right; barley grain to right / SINΔΩN, horse's head right in incuse square. Frolova, Frühe, Type V, 37; MacDonald 83; SNG BM Black Sea 1008cf. TextImage
MacDonald 80vScythia, The Sindi. AR Triobol (2.45 g). Ca.425-400 BC. Gorgippia mint ?. Head of young Herakles right, wearing lionskin, within dotted circle / ΣINΔΩN, horse's head right, star above. cf MacDonald 80 (diobol); SNG Black Sea 1008 (hemidrachm).TextImage
Zograph 33iiThe Sindi, tribe in Scythia, AR diobol, ca. 4th century BC. 1.44 g. Young man, naked, kneeling right, stringing bow and holding belt / ΣINΔΩN, owl standing facing, wings spread. Zograph 33(ii); Sear Greece 3624.TextImage
See also: See the Reges Getarum section of Moushmov Online
Entry for Scythia on the Digital Historia Numorum
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