Kingdom of Bosporus, 108-118 AD., Sauromates I., 48 Units, RPC III 865.

Kingdom of Bosporus, (Pantikapaion mint ?), Sauromates I., struck 108-118 AD.,
48 Units / Nummia (26-27 mm / 13,71 g), bronze, axis about coin alignment ↑↓ (ca. 160°),
Obv.: BACIΛЄⲰC CAYPOMATOY , diademed and draped bust of Sauromates I right.
Rev.: MH (value mark / denomination) , below shield with spear in centre; helmeted head and sword in scabbard, r.; horse’s head and axe, l.
RPC III 865 ; MacDonald 401/2 ; Frolova Coinage, pp. 126–7, 2 ; Anokhin 1986, 459 .

RPC III : 8 specimens of this coin type listed

The Bosporan Kingdom was located between the Crimean and Taman peninsulas centered around the Kerch Strait, known in antiquity as the Cimmerian Bosporus, from where the kingdom's name is derived. It was briefly incorporated as part of the Roman province of Moesia Inferior from 63 to 68 AD under Emperor Nero, before being restored as a Roman client kingdom.
Sauromates I was a Roman client king of the Bosporan Kingdom. Sauromates I was the son and heir of the Bosporan king Rhescuporis II. Through his paternal grandfather, Sauromates I was a descendant of the Roman Triumvir Mark Antony, thus Sauromates I was related to various members of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He was also a descendant of Roman Client Rulers Polemon I of Pontus, Pythodorida of Pontus and Cotys VIII of Thrace. Through his paternal grandfather, Sauromates I was a descendant of Greek Macedonian Kings: Antigonus I Monophthalmus, Seleucus I Nicator and Regent, Antipater. These three men served under King Alexander the Great. He is also descended from the Monarchs Mithridates VI of Pontus and his first wife, his sister Laodice and the previous Bosporan King Asander.
When Rhescuporis II died in 93, Sauromates I succeeded his father as Bosporan King and reigned until his own death in 123. He was a contemporary of the Roman Emperors Domitian, Nerva, Trajan and Hadrian.