Stater - Pharzoios ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΑΡΖΟΙΟΥ ΟΛ

Reverse

Eagle with spread wings on tamga, right; in right field, Σ over monogram.

Script: Greek

Lettering: ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΦΑΡΖΟΙΟΥ ΟΛ

Unabridged legend: βασιλέως Φαρζοιου Ὀλ(βία)

Translation: [Coin] of King Pharzoios, Olbia

Comment

Pharzoios was most probably the chief of a coalition of Sarmatian tribes, closely related to the Skythians, dwelling to the northwest of Olbia in the first century AD. Defined as a Basilios, Pharzoios is unknown to history other than through this small issue of gold staters, securely attributed to the mint Olbia on the basis of the sigla ΟΛ in the reverse field and the use of similar monograms, symbols and types shared with contemporary civic issues. Some of these issues also bear Greek numerals from 6 to 9, which may be interpreted as either regnal or civic dates from AD 53/4-56/7.

Interesting fact