Coson, after 54 BC THRACIAN OR SCYTHIAN AV Stater

The origin of this Thracian or Scythian Koson gold Stater is still under speculation. The inscribed name of "Koson" is a mystery, since there is no record of a King having that name. The monogram on the obverse is also mysterious. Some historians believe that this gold Stater bearing the monogram is an issue of Imperatorial Brutus, lead assassin of Julius Caesar. This theory is supported by the fact that the obverse design prominently resembles an earlier silver Denarius issued by Brutus in 54 B.C.

The obverse illustrates a typical Roman procession of three figures advancing left: a Roman Consul between two lictors (bodyguards) carrying fasces over their shoulders, "KOSON" in exergue. The reverse depicts an eagle balanced upon a long scepter, holding a wreath in its talons, surrounded by a beaded border.

This ancient Gold Stater, struck after 54 B.C., is graded mint state 60, and additional grading of 4/5 for both strike and surface characteristics by the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC).