Herakles on Bosporos' coins

In V B.C. as a result of association of the Greek colonies on Kerch and Taman peninsulas the largest antique state on the Northern Black Sea Coast was formed. It's name was Bosporos.

The Bosporos capital was Panticapaeum (modern Kerch).

At the end of II A.D. Bosporos king Sauromates II has put resolute defeat to Scythians and Tauris.

He has attached to the Bosporos state the Scythian Empire and Taurica - mountain Crimea.

Within board of Sauromates II Bosporos fleet successfully struggled with pirates on Black sea that promoted development of trade relations.
His military successes Sauromates II compared to the Herakles feats . During currency reform a beautiful series of double denariuses with the image of feats of the ancient greek hero was made.

On one of coins king was represented in Herakles image with his attributes - club and trident.

This weapon should symbolize Bosporos power on land and on the sea.
Bosporos series of Sauromates II coins with the image of Herakles feats certainly was ancient proto-type of modern commemorative coins.