Numismatic

Thracian/Scythian Gold Stater Coson (after 54 BC) MS NGC 4/3

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Deep within the ancient regions of modern-day Romania or Bulgaria, a remarkable gold coinage emerged during the first century BC. This gold stater, minted sometime after 54 BC, weighs 8.52 grams and contains 0.2300 troy ounces of gold. It carries the name of Coson, a Thracian or Dacian ruler whose identity remains one of the fascinating puzzles of the ancient world. What makes this coin particularly intriguing is its deliberate imitation of Roman Republican money. The obverse side displays a formal procession of three figures dressed in togas, walking to the left. This scene, featuring a Roman consul flanked by two attending lictors, directly mirrors the famous silver denarius issued by Marcus Junius Brutus. Below this stately march, the Greek inscription KOSON is clearly visible in the exergue. The reverse of the coin continues the Roman theme, showcasing a powerful eagle standing on a scepter with its wings spread wide to the left. In its right talon, the bird grips a laurel wreath, a classic symbol of authority and political legitimacy. This specific specimen has survived the centuries in remarkable condition, certified by professional graders as being in Mint State, with a strike rating of 4 out of 5 and a surface rating of 3 out of 5.