Asia Minor Coins - Photo Gallery

Coin search results - "hellenistic" (BC 36-AD 17) Archelaus - AE 231572 viewsArchelaus, 36 BC-17 AD. AE23 (8.51g). Head of Herakles right / ΕΥΣΕ-ΒΕΙΑΣ, tetrastyle temple with three figures on pediment; date KE (=Year 25 = 12/11 BC) in exergue. Very fine. Archelaus was elevated to the Cappadocian throne by Marc Antony, where he reigned for over half a century. (BC 42-36) Ariarathes X - AE11437 viewsAriarathes X Eusebes Philadelphos (42-36 BC). AE11 (1.55g). Eusebeia under Mt. Argaios mint. Club within wreath / APIAPAΘ / BAΣIΛE, bow. VF. Extremely rare. (BC 43-16) Asander - AV Stater757 viewsAsander, as king, ca 43-16 BC. AV Stater (19mm, 7.99g, 11h). Dated RY 27 (21/0 BC). Diademed head right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ AΣANΔPOY, Nike, holding wreath in extended right hand, palm frond in left, standing left on prow left; ZK (date) to inner left. VF, fields smoothed. Very rare. Ex Drewry Coll. (CNG 67, 9/2004, lot 620); Stevenson Coll. (CNG XXVI, 6/1993, lot 78); Sotheby's (5/1984), lot 96. After defeating Pharnakes II in 47 BC, Asander hoped that Caesar would recognize him as king of Bosporos. Instead, in 46 BC Caesar appointed Mithradates of Pergamon, the illegitimate son of Mithradates VI Eupator and a personal friend. Asander, however, subsequently defeated and killed Mithradates. To support his claim to the throne, Asander married Dynamis, the daughter of Pharnakes II, but for the first four years of his reign, he claimed the title ‘archon’ only, rather than that of ‘basileus.’ The reason for this may be that as Rome had formally recognized the archon Pharnakes II as king, Asander was hoping they would do the same on his behalf – a hope confirmed by Octavian in 43 BC. Consequently, all of Asander’s regnal dates are reckoned from his first year as archon (circa 47/6 BC). (BC 52-42) Ariobarzanes III - Drachm1427 viewsAriobarzanes III, Eusebes Philoromaios, 52-42 BC. AR Drachm (4.18g). Diademed head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΟΒΑΡZΑΝΟΥ ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΟΡΩΜ, Athena holding Nike standing left, monogram to right, star and crescent to left. About EF. (BC 52-42) Ariobarzanes III - Drachm1154 viewsAriobarzanes III Eusebes Philoromaios, 52-42 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 3.80g). Dated RY 9 (43 BC). Diademed head right / Athena Nikephoros standing left; star in crescent to inner left, monogram to inner right, Θ (date) in exergue. VF. (BC 52-42) Ariobarzanes III - Drachm1016 viewsAriobarzanes III Eusebes Philoromaios, 52-42 BC. AR Drachm (16mm, 3.55g, 12h). Dated RY 11 (41 BC). Diademed head right / Athena Nikephoros standing left; to left, star above crescent; monogram to right. Good VF, lightly toned. N. Frank Coll.; ex CNG 55 (9/2000), lot 645. Ariobarzanes was a grandson of Mithradates VI of Pontos and adopted the Pontic royal symbol of the star above crescent for his coins. (BC 63-46) Pharnakes II - AV Stater798 viewsPharnakes II, ca 63-46 BC. AV Stater (19.5mm, 8.19g, 1h). Pantikapaion mint. Dated Bosporan Era 245 (53/2 BC). Diademed head right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ BAΣIΛ-EΩN MEΓAΛOY ΦAPNAKOY, Apollo seated left on lion-footed throne, holding branch in extended right hand, left arm resting on kithara; tripod to left; to right, EMΣ (date) above monogram. EF, slightly weak strike, some die wear. Very rare. Pharnakes was awarded the Bosporan Kingdom by Pompey, for the betrayal of his father Mithradates VI, King of Pontos. Little is known of his 16-year reign except for its ending. During the Civil War between Pompey and Julius Caesar, Pharnakes tried to recapture his father's former territories in Pontos. He won a victory over Caesar's general, Domitius Calvinus, and ordered Romans in the region castrated or put to the sword. In response, Caesar launched a rapid five day war against Pharnakes in 47 BC, culminating in the battle of Zela. Caesar emerged victorious, prompting him to report back to the Senate with the now famous dictum, "Veni, Vidi, Vici" (I came, I saw, I conquered). (BC 63-52) Ariobarzanes II - Drachm1274 viewsAriobarzanes II Philopator, 63-52 BC. AR Drachm (16mm, 3.80g, 12h). Mint A (Eusebeia-Mazaka). Dated RY 8 (55 BC). Diademed head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΟΒΑΡZΑΝΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΥ, Athena Nikephoros standing left; H (date) in exergue. Good VF, iridescent toning. Rare in this condition. Coins of Ariobarzanes II are rare in the Cappadocian series, and are typically found poorly struck or struck on poor metal. The engraving also usually appears to have been done in haste, perhaps reflecting his issues were struck in a time of expediency. His father’s coinage (Ariobarzanes I) was plentiful, and are the most common Cappadocian coins found today. It is possible that so much was in circulation during his son’s reign that Ariobarzanes II’s issues were relatively small. (BC 94-74) Nikomedes IV - Tetradrachm1655 viewsNikomedes IV, 94-74 BC. AR Tetradrachm (14.87g), dated year 214 (= 85/84 BC). Diademed head right / Zeus standing left with scepter, crowing name of king, in field, eagle on thunderbolt. gVF. (BC 94-74) Nikomedes IV - Tetradrachm1030 viewsNikomedes IV, ca 94-74 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.64g), dated BE 223 (75/4 BC). Diademed head of Nikomedes right / Zeus standing left, holding wreath and sceptre; eagle on thunderbolt above monogram and ΓΚΣ (date) to left. Good VF, toned, spots of die rust on obverse. Drewry Coll.; ex Frank Kovacs Sale XII (11/1995), lot 81. (BC 94-74) Nikomedes IV - Tetradrachm1136 viewsNikomedes IV, ca 94-74 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.37g, 12h), dated BE 208 (90/89 BC). Diademed head of Nikomedes right / Zeus standing left, holding wreath and sceptre; eagle on thunderbolt above monogram and HΣ (date) to left. Good VF, (BC 96-63) Ariobarzanes I - Drachm1490 viewsAriobarzanes I, Philoromaios, 96-63 BC. AR Drachm (4.05g, 12h), dated year 2 (95/94 BC). Diadememed head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΟΒΑΡZΑΝΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΡΩΜΑΙΟΥ, Athena standing left, holding Nike, shield and spear, Θ - Ε flanking her, Î’ (date) in exergue. High relief, lightly toned, EF. Ex Bank Leu AG, Auc. 33 (5/1983, Zurich), lot 408. (BC 96-63) Ariobarzanes I - Drachm1164 viewsAriobarzanes I Philoromaios, ca 96-63 BC. AR Drachm (18mm, 4.09g), dated RY 2 (94/3 BC). Diademed head right / Athena standing left, holding Nike and resting hand on shield set on ground, spear leaning against arm; T-Λ across field, B (date) in exergue. VF, iridescent toning, light scratch. Strickhausen Coll. (BC 96-63) Ariobarzanes I - Drachm1183 viewsAriobarzanes I Philoromaios, 96-63 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 4.19g, 1h). Dated RY 14 (83/2 BC). Diademed head right / Athena Nikephoros standing left, holding spear and round shield, both set on ground; monogram to inner left, EP to inner right; IΔ (date) in exergue. Good VF, toned. (BC 100-AD 100) Lead weight 259 viewsLead Weight (34mm, 46.33g). KYZI / ΔICT, kerykeion / Blank. VF. (BC 101-87) Ariarathes IX - Drachm1207 views(4.06g, 12h). Dated Year 4 (98/97 BC). Diademed head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ, Athena standing half-left, holding Nike in right hand, shield and spear in left; Δ (date) in exergue. Lightly toned, EF. Ex Sternberg Auc. 17 (5/1986, Zurich), lot 182. (BC 101-87) Ariarathes IX - Drachm1015 viewsAriarathes IX Eusebes Philopator, ca 100-85 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 4.07g), dated RY 4 (97/6 BC). Diademed head right / Athena standing left, holding Nike and resting hand on shield set on ground, spear leaning against arm; monogram in inner left field, D (date) in exergue. Good VF, toned. Strickhausen Coll. (BC 101-87) Ariarathes IX - Drachm863 viewsAriarathes IX Eusebes Philopator, ca 100-85 BC. AR Drachm (18mm, 4.01g), dated RY 5 (96/5 BC). Diademed head right / Athena standing left, holding Nike and resting hand on shield set on ground, spear leaning against arm; monogram in inner left field, E (date) in exergue. Good VF, lightly toned. Excellent style for issue. Strickhausen Coll. (BC 101-87) Ariarathes IX - Drachm806 viewsAriarathes IX Eusebes Philopator, ca 100-85 BC. AR Drachm (18mm, 4.05g), dated RY 5 (96/5 BC). Diademed head right / Athena standing left, holding Nike and resting hand on shield set on ground, spear leaning against arm; monogram in inner left field, E (date) in exergue. VF, lightly toned, light scratches. Strickhausen Coll.; Ex CNG XXVII (9/1993), lot 698; Brauer Coll., Numismatic Fine Arts (10/1988), lot 368. (BC 101-87) Ariarathes IX - Tetradrachm1061 viewsAriarathes IX, Eusebes Philopator, 101-87 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.24g). Dated Year 2 (100/99 BC). Diademed head right / Athena standing left, holding Nike, spear, and shield; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ, B (date) in exergue. Good VF, toned, small area of flatness on the obverse. Very rare. Drewry Coll.; ex CNG 54 (6/2000), lot 760. (BC 101-87) Ariarathes IX - Tetradrachm1027 viewsAriarathes IX, Eusebes Philopator, 101-87 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.21g, 1h). Mint A (Eusebia-Mazaka [Caesarea]). Dated RY 2 (100/99 BC). Diademed head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ, Athena standing half-left, holding Nike in right hand, shield and spear in left; B (date) in exergue. Good VF, toned. Drewry Coll. Ex Numismatic Fine Arts XXV (11/1990), lot 182; von Aulock Collection, 6300; Abruzzi 1954 Hoard (IGCH 2056). (BC 101-87) Ariarathes IX - Tetradrachm1689 viewsAriarathes IX, 101-87 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.62g). Year 213 (85/84 BC). Diademed head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ above, ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ below, Pegasos grazing left; star and crescent to left, monogram to right; all within a border of cable and grape leaves. EF. Rare, only 14 specimens of 2 die combinations listed by De Callatay, 7 of which are in permanent museum collections. (BC 116-101) Ariarathes VII - Drachm1024 viewsAriarathes VII, 116-101 BC. AR Drachm (4.04g). Eusebeia Tyana mint, dated year 9 (108/7 BC). Diademed head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΜΗΤΟΡΟΣ, Athena standing left, holding Nike in right hand, shield and spear in left; OM monogram to left, Λ to right, Θ (date) in exergue. Good VF. (BC 116-101) Ariarathes VII - Drachm790 viewsAriarathes VII, 116-101 BC. AR Drachm (4.04g). Eusebeia Tyana mint, dated year 8 (109/8 BC). Diademed head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΜΗΤΟΡΟΣ, Athena standing left, holding Nike in right hand, shield and spear in left; monogram to left, H (date) in exergue. VF. (BC 116-101) Ariarathes VII - Drachm941 viewsAriarathes VII Philometor, ca 112/0-100 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 3.24g), dated RY 8 (108/7 BC). Diademed head right / Athena standing left, holding Nike and resting hand on shield set on ground, spear leaning against arm; O/M monogram - Λ across field, H (date) in exergue. VF, toned, light scratches. Strickhausen Coll.; Ex CNG 37 (3/1996), lot 598; Ambassador Eric von Post Collection. (BC 116-101) Ariarathes VII - Tetradrachm1276 viewsAriarathes VII Philometoros, 116-101 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.58g), struck ca 116 BC in Eusebeia Tyana. Diademed head right / Athena standing left, holding spear in left hand, which rests on round shield adorned with gorgoneion; on her right hand, Nike crowns the epithet Philometor with wreath; O - Λ; all within olive wreath. Extremely rare. Extremely fine. (BC 116-101) Ariarathes VII - Tetradrachm1285 viewsAriarathes VII, 116-101 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.44g), Eusebeia-Tyana mint. Diademed head of Antiochos VII of Syria right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΜΗΤΟΡΟΣ, Athena standing left, holding Nike in right hand, shield and spear in left; monograms in outer left field, O-Λ across field; all within wreath. EF. Unique. (BC 116-101) Ariarathes VII - Tetradrachm1199 viewsAriarathes VII Philometoros, 116-101 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.47g), Eusebeia Tyana mint. Diademed head right / Athena standing left, holding spear in left hand, which rests on round shield adorned with gorgoneion; on her right hand, Nike crowns the epithet Philometor with wreath; O - Λ; all within olive wreath. Extremely rare. Toned, EF. (BC 120-63) Mithdradates VI - Tetradrachm2916 viewsMithradates VI, 120-63 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.31g, 12h). Pergamon mint. Dated month 11 of 202 BE (August 95 BC). Diademed head right, hair neatly tucked under diadem / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ ΕΥΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ, stag grazing left; star and crescent to left, BΣ (year) and monogram to right, IA (month) in exergue; all within Dionysiac wreath of ivy and fruit. Good VF, toned, slight die shift on obverse. (BC 120-63) Mithradates VI - AV Stater6436 viewsMithradates VI, 120-63 BC. AV Stater (8.46g). Pergamon mint. Dated year 4 of Pergamene Era (86/85 BC); struck during the First Mithradatic War. Diademed head right, hair tousled and flowing freely / Stag grazing left; pellet below, star and crescent to left, D (date) to right, monogram in exergue; all within Dionysiac wreath of ivy and fruit. Good VF, minor scrape in reverse field. Very rare. Mithradates' career driven by megalomaniacal ambitions leading to murderous assaults upon family and followers and disastrous foreign adventures against superior forces. His idealized portraiture attempts to mimic the gods with its bold staring gaze and unruly, free-flowing hair. The wreath of ivy on the reverse reinforces Mithradates' link with the gods as well as making a connection with the cistaphoric coinage that formerly circulated in the Asian territory he conquered in his first war with Rome in 88 BC, which witnessed the horrific massacre of the Roman citizens of Asia Minor. The stag probably represents the civic center of Ephesos and the mintmark is of Pergamon, all part of the new Pontic kingdom, symbolized by the star and crescent. (BC 120-63) Mithradates VI - AV Stater2675 viewsca 120-63 BC. AV Stater (22mm, 8.45g, 12h). Pergamon mint. Dated month 12, year 223 BE (September 74 BC). Diademed head right / Stag grazing left; BAΣIΛEΩΣ above, MIΘPAΔATOY EYΠATOPOΣ in two lines below; to left, star-in-crescent above ΓKΣ (year); two monograms to right, IB (month) in exergue; all within Dionysiac wreath of ivy and fruit. Near EF, a few light marks. Superb high relief portrait, boldly struck and beautifully centered on a broad flan. A unique example, the latest known stater from his reign. (BC 128-94) Nikomedes III - Tetradrachm982 viewsca 128-92 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.02g), dated year 204 of Bithynian era (= 94/93 BC). Diademed head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ, Zeus standing left, wreath in right hand, staff in left; eagle and mongram to left, ΔΣ (date) below. Slight spotting, EF. Ex MuM 88 (1999), lot 212; Ex Deppert Liste 2 (9/1959), lot 64. (BC 128-94) Nikomedes III - Tetradrachm1051 viewsNikomedes III, 128-94 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.83g, 12h), dated 177 BE (121/0 BC). Diademed head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ, Zeus standing left, holding wreath in right hand, lotus tipped sceptre in left; to inner left, eagle on thunderbolt above monogram and ZOP (date). Good VF, lightly toned, broad flan. Rare variety, only one specimen cited by De Callatay. Cohen Coll.; ex New York Sale V (1/2003), lot 136. (BC 128-94) Nikomedes III - Tetradrachm931 viewsNikomedes III, 128-94 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.14g, 32mm). Dated CY 203 (95/94 BC). Diademed head right / Zeus standing left, holding wreath and sceptre; eagle on thunderbolt above monogram and date to left. Nice VF, small flan flaw behind head. (BC 130) Pylaimenes - AE 171378 viewsPylaimenes, ca 130 BC. AE17 (3.80g). Facing bull head / [ΒΑ]ΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΥΛΑΙΜΕΝΟΥ [Ε]ΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ, winged kerykeion. Nearly extremely fine. (BC 130) Pylaimenes - AE 18917 viewsPylaimenes, ca 130 BC. AE18 (3.77g). Bull's head facing / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ right, ΠΥΛΑΙΜΕΝΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ left, winged caduceus. EF, dark brown and green patina, surfaces a little rough. Rare. (BC 130) Pylaimenes - AE 222026 viewsPylaimenes, ca 130 BC. AE22 (3.90g, 12h). Facing bull's head / [Î’]ΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΥΛΑΙΜΕΝΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ, winged caduceus. EF, glossy dark brown patina. (BC 130) Pylaimenes - AE 221119 viewsPylaimenes, ca 130 BC. AE22 (5.87g). Bust of Pylaimenes as Herakles right, club over shoulder, lion's skin around neck / [Β]ΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΥΛΑΙΜΕΝΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ, Nike standing left, holding wreath in right hand, palm in left. EF, dark green patina. Gutknecht coll. (BC 130) Pylaimenes - AE 231012 viewsPylaimenes, ca 130 BC. AE23 (6.21g, 12h). Bust of Pylaimenes as Herakles right, club over shoulder, lion's skin around neck / [Β]ΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΥΛΑΙΜΕΝΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ, Nike standing left, holding wreath in right hand, palm in left. EF, glossy dark brown patina. (BC 130) Pylaimenes - AE 231154 viewsPylaimenes, ca 130 BC. AE23 (5.58g). Pylaimenes as Herakles right, club over shoulder, lion's skin around neck / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΥΛΑΙΜΕΝΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ, Nike standing left, holding wreath in right hand, palm in left. Superb EF, glossy dark brown patina, exceptional! (BC 130) Pylaimenes - AE 231023 viewsPylaimenes, ca 130 BC. AE23 (5.88g). Bust of Pylaimenes as Herakles right, club over shoulder, lion's skin around neck / [Β]ΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΥΛΑΙΜΕΝΟΥ ΕΥΕΡΓΕΤΟΥ, Nike standing left, holding wreath in right hand, palm in left. Superb EF, glossy dark brown patina, some light adjustment marks as made. Exceptional! (BC 130-112/0) Ariarathes VI - Drachm1403 viewsAriarathes VI Epiphanes, ca 130-112/0 BC. AR Drachm (4.08g, 12h), uncertain mint. Draped bust right, wearing tiara adorned with two (Pontic) stars / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΣ ΘΕΟΥ ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟ[ΡΟΣ] (APIAPA inverted), Athena seated left, holding laurel wreath in extended right hand, left arm resting on shield set on ground, spear behind; at feet, dog(?) standing left, head right. VF, toned, porous, scuff in field on obverse causing slight wave in flan. Extremely rare, perhaps the third known. (BC 130-112/0) Ariarathes VI - Drachm1090 viewsAriarathes VI Epiphanes Philopator, ca 130-112/0 BC. AR Drachm (18mm, 4.18g, 12h). Mint C (Komana?). Diademed head right, wearing short beard / Athena standing left, holding wreath and palm; monograms to inner left and outer right, I in exergue. VF, lightly toned, a few light marks on obverse. Unpublished with bearded portrait. The standard depiction is of Athena Nikephoros, but here she holds a wreath and palm rather than Nike and spear. The Cappadocian warrior-goddess Enyo-Ma was their local version of Athena, and Mørkholm thought this rendition of Athena may have been more closely based on the standard depiction of this local goddess, whose temple was at Komana. This unusual depiction only occurred on Mørkholm's issues 3 and 4 at mint C, and he was uncertain of the underlying reason for its appearance. Mint C was apparently established during the reign of Ariarathes VI, most likely due to uncertain military necessities. Although the location of the mint at Komana is not certain, issues of this mint have a metrological affinity with those of mint A (Eusebia-Mazaka [Caesarea]), suggesting a location proximate to the latter. (BC 130-112/0) Ariarathes VI Epiphanes - Drachm835 viewsAriarathes VI Epiphanes, 130-112/0 BC. AR Drachm (17mm, 4.19g, 12h). Mint C (Comana?). Diademed head right / Athena Nikephoros standing left; monogram to outer left, IΓ in exergue. Good VF, scratches on obverse. (BC 130-116) Ariarathes VI - Drachm952 viewsAriarathes VI, Epiphanes Philopator, 130-116 BC. AR Drachm (4.12g), Eusebeia Tyana mint, dated year 4 (126/125 BC). Head with band right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ - ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, Athena left, holding spear and shield in left hand, Nike in right; monogram to left, A to right, Δ (date) in exergue. EF. (BC 130-116) Ariarathes VI - Obol1200 viewsAriarathes VI, Epiphanes, 130-116 BC. AR Obol (0.88g), Mazaka/Eusebeia mint. Bust right, wearing Tiara / Ram left, head turned back; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ. Lighly toned, VF. Very rare. (BC 130-116) Ariarathes VI - Obol671 viewsAriarathes VI, Epiphanes, 130-116 BC. AR Obol (0.73g). Bust right, wearing tiara / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ, ram galloping left, head turned back. VF. Very rare. (BC 133-130) Eumenes III - Cistophoric Tetradrachm1695 viewsEumenes III (Aristonikos), pretender to the throne of Pergamon, 133-130 BC. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm (12.47g), struck in Lydia, Thyateia, dated year 2 (of his revolt=132/1 BC). Cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath / Bow-case with serpents; thunderbolt above, [Θ]ΥΑ, to left; male head (Dionysos?) to right; within coils of serpents, BA-EY and B (date). VF, toned, reverse slightly double-struck. Very rare. When the Pergamene king Attalos II died in 134 BC, he bequeathed his kingdom to the Romans. Because the Romans were slow in securing their claim, Aristonikos, son of the earlier Pergamene king Eumenes II, filled the power vacuum, claiming the throne and taking the dynastic name Eumenes. Although unable to capture Pergamon, his revolt lasted four years, until he was defeated and captured by the Romans under the consul M. Perperna. After his surrender, he was paraded through Rome and executed. (BC 133-130) Eumenes III - Cistophoric Tetradrachm803 viewsAristonikos as Eumenes III, 133-130 BC. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm (30mm, 11.94g, 11h), dated year 3 (132/131 BC). Mobile mint, struck in Lydia, Apollonis. Cista mystica with open lid, snake crawling out to left, all in ivy wreath / ΒΑ-ΕΥ /Γ/ ΑΠ-ΟΛ, Two snakes around bow case decorated with aphlaston, thunderbolt above; in left field, head of Zeus (?) left, in right, head of Dionysos (?) right. Corroded, VF. Ex Gorny & Mosch, Auk. 113 (10/2001), 5250. (BC 133-130) Eumenes III - Cistophoric Tetradrachm776 viewsAristonikos as Eumenes III, 133-130 BC. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm (26mm, 12.11g, 12h), dated year 4 (131/130 BC). Mobile mint, struck in Lydia, Apollonis. Cista mystica with open lid, snake crawling out to left, all in ivy wreath / ΒΑ-ΕΥ /Δ/ ΑΠ-ΟΛ, Two snakes around bow case decorated with aphlaston, thunderbolt above; in left field, head of Zeus (?) left, in right, head of Dionysos (?) right. VF. Very rare. (BC 133-130) Eumenes III - Cistophoric Tetradrachm228 viewsEumenes III Aristonikos (pretender to the throne of Pergamon), 132-130 BC. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm (27mm, 12.83g), struck at Thyateira, dated year 1 (of his revolt, 133/2 BC). Cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath / Bowcase between two serpents; ΘVA to left. Controls: BA-EY across field, horizontal winged thunderbolt above, A (date) below to left; to right, head (of Dionysos?) right. gVF. A pretender to the Pergamene throne following the death of Attalos III, Aristonikos, adopting the name Eumenes III and claiming to be the son of Eumenes II, secured the kingdom for a brief period, issuing a series of Cistophoroi from Thyateira, Apollonis and Stratonikeia. Attalos had bequeathed the kingdom to the Romans, but they were slow to recognize this fact, and Aristonikos took advantage. Though dated coinage is known for years 2-4, years 1 and 5 are extremely rare, with just a couple specimens known. (BC 138-133) Attalos III - Cistophoric Tetradrachm227 viewsAttalos III (King of Pergamon), 138-133 BC. AR Cistophoric Tetradrachm (30mm, 12.78g), struck at Ephesos, dated RY 2 (138/7 BC). Cista mystica with serpent; all within ivy wreath / Bowcase between two serpents; EΦΕ to left. Controls: To right, B (date) above facing bust of Artemis Ephesia with headdress. gVF. (BC 145-140) Tetradrachm345 viewsca 145-140 BC. AR Tetradrachm (31.5mm, 16.37g, 12h). Stephanophoric type. Head of Demeter right, wearing wreath of grain ears and triple-pendant earring / Two Kabeiroi, nude but for cloak tied at their necks, standing facing, each wearing laurel wreath and holding staff in outer hand; ΘEΩN KABEIPΩN at sides, ΣYPIΩN below, monogram to lower right; all within wreath. Good VF, toned, light porosity. Very rare. This issue was attributed to the island of Syros based on the reverse legend. Recent scholarship, however, has convincingly shown that this is erroneous, as the reverse legend does not contain an ethnic, but names the type: the Divine Syrian Kaberioi. As the issue has long been linked to a rare portrait emission of Eumenes I with the same reverse type, it is clear that it must belong to a mint in the sphere of the kings of Pergamon. Although it is tempting to attribute it to the royal mint at Pergamon, this Attic-standard issue could have been struck at one of several mints under Attalid control. See A. Meadows, “The Closed Currency System of the Attalid Kingdom” in P. Thonemann, Attalid Asia Minor (Oxford, 2013), pp. 184–91 for the most current analysis. (BC 149-128) Nikomedes II - Tetradrachm945 viewsNikomedes II, 149-128 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.16g), dated year 86 of Bithynian Era (= 113/112 BC). Diademed head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ, Zeus standing left, crowing king's name; in field, eagle on thunderbolt, monogram and ΣΠΡ (date) below. Toned, gVF/VF. (BC 149-128) Nikomedes II - Tetradrachm813 viewsNikomedes II, 149-128 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.68g). Diademed head of Nikomedes right / Zeus standing left, holding wreath and sceptre; eagle on thunderbolt and monogram to left. Good VF, broad flan, a few field nicks. From the Garth R. Drewry Collection. Ex CNG 43 (9/1997), lot 492. (BC 149-128) Nikomedes II - Tetradrachm1021 viewsNikomedes II, 149-128 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.13g), dated year 167 BE (132/131 BC). Diademed head right / Zeus standing, holding wreath and sceptre; eagle on thunderbolt, monogram and date before. Toned, good VF. (BC 149-74) Nikomedes II, III or IV - AE 10283 viewsNikomedes II, III, or IV, ca 149-74 BC. AE10 (1.09g). Uncertain mint, possibly Nikomedeia. ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ, star of nine rays / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ, cornucopia. VF. Very rare. (BC 149-74) Nikomedes II, III or IV - AE 12783 viewsca 149-74 BC. AE12 (1.51g). Star of nine rays, ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ between / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΝΙΚΟΜΗΔΟΥ, cornucopiae with ears of corn. Very rare. Very fine. (BC 160-139) Attalos II - Tetradrachm1157 viewsAttalos II (Philadelphos), 160-139 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.77g), after 150 BC. Laureate head of Philetairos right / ΦΙΛΕΤΑΙΡΟΥ, Athena sitting left on throne; monogram and torch to left, bow to right. Fine toning, partial corrosion, aEF. (BC 160-139) Attalos II - Tetradrachm833 viewsAttalos II (Philadelphos), 160-139 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.50g), after 150 BC. Laureate head of Philetairos right / ΦΙΛΕΤΑΙΡΟΥ, Athena sitting left on throne; AP and stylus to left, bow to right. aEF. (BC 160-156) Orophernes - Tetradrachm1555 viewsOrophernes, ca 160-156 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.82g). Diademed head of Orophernes right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΟΡΟΦΕΡΝΟΥ ΝΙΚΗΦΟΡΟΥ, Nike standing left, crowning royal name with right hand and holding palm branch in left, in inner left field owl standing three-quarters left on altar above ΜΗΧΡ monogram. Among the greatest rarities of the Hellenistic portraiture. Slight "ghosting" on obverse, lightly toned, aEF. (BC 163-130) Ariarathes V - Drachm1387 viewsAriarathes V Eusebes Philopator, 163-130 BC. AR Drachm (4.16g, 12h). Year 29 (134/33 BC). Diademed head right / Athena standing left, holding Nike, spear, and shield; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ, ΘΚ (date) in exergue. Lightly toned, EF. Ex Bank Leu AG, Auc 16 (10/1984), lot 282. (BC 163-130) Ariarathes V - Drachm786 viewsAriarathes V, Eusebes, Philopator. 163-130 BC. AR Drachm (3.93g). Diademed head right / Athena left with spear and shield holding figure of Nike, T in left field. Interesting and rare barbaric style. Very fine. (BC 163-130) Ariarathes V - Drachm1062 viewsAriarathes V Eusebes Philopator, ca 163-130 BC. AR Drachm (19mm, 4.33g, 12h). Mint A (Eusebeia-Mazaka). Diademed head right / Athena Nikephoros standing left; monograms to inner left and outer right, ΓΛ in exergue. Good VF, lightly toned. The attribution of much of the middle Cappadocian series has long been the subject of debate, primarily between B. Simonetta and O. Morkholm. Morkholm's attribtions appear to be more firmly grounded, particularly in hoard studies, and thus his conclusions that the earliest silver drachms are those of Ariarathes V and that the exergual letters on this series are not regnal dates are likely correct. As such, the latest studies and SNGs have attributed this portion of the series following his conclusions. (BC 169-150) Laodike - AV Stater4948 viewsLaodike Epiphanes Philadelphos, wife of Mithradates IV of Pontos, 169-150 BC. AV Stater (8.49g). Diademed and veiled bust of Laodike left / ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΙΣ / ΛΑΟΔΙΚΙΣ / ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ / ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ, banded double cornucopiae filled with fruit, six-rayed star above, monogram to right. Unique and unpublished. EF. This important piece portraits the daughter of Mithradates III of Pontus as a young woman (she is depicted as a more mature woman on Tetradrachms). This Stater has a certain parallel to an also unique Stater of Mithradates IV (see SNG von Aulock 4), which shows the inauguration of the newly wedded brother and sister. The son of Laodike's older brother Pharnakes (successor of Mithradates III), Mithradates V, was too young to succeed his father to the throne. Because of this, Mithradates IV and Laodike, his sister and wife, took over Pontic government around 169 BC. Two more ladies come into question for the portraited woman: the wife of Mithradates V (daughter of Antiochos IV of Syria) and the daughter of Mithradates V of Pontos, who were also called Laodike. (BC 169-150) Mithradates IV - Tetradrachm526 viewsMithradates IV, ca 170/169–150 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.83g), struck in Sinope ca 169 BC. Diademed head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ - ΦΙΛΟΠΑΤΟΡΟΣ / ΚΑΙ ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΟΥ, Perseus, naked but for cloak over his shoulders, standing facing and holding gorgoneion and harpa; monogram in lower left field. Extremely rare and among the finest specimens known. An elegant portrait of fine Hellenistic style struck in high relief on a very large flan. Old cabinet tone and aEF. Ex Leu sale 48 (1989), lot 209. From the von Aulock and Salvesen collections. The reverse of this tetradrachm, which may perhaps predate Mithradates IV’s marriage to his sister, Laodike, depicts the hero Perseus. He appears here, not so much because Mithradates IV wanted to recall the myth of the hero, but because of an old Greek folk etymology that made Perseus an ancestor of the Persians. The Persian Great King Xerxes I (486-465 BC) was already aware of this etymology at the time of his invasion of mainland Greece (480 BC) and tried to use it to convince the Argives to capitulate. The link between Perseus and the Persians was deeply entrenched by 2nd century BC and Mithradates IV, who was himself of Iranian descent, used it to associate the Mithradatic dynasty of Pontus with the greatness of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. The irony of using a Greek hero to advertise a connection to an Iranian empire that was frequently in conflict with the states of Greece is palpable. This irony is further compounded by the otherwise conscious Hellenizing of the obverse type and legend: Mithradates IV wears the diadem of a Hellenistic king rather than the tiara of an Iranian ruler, and the reverse legend is entirely Greek in its use of titles like Philopator (”Father-loving”) and Philadelphos (”Brother-loving”). The combination of types and inscriptions on this tetradrachm is wonderfully schizophrenic in the desire to simultaneously tout Mithradates IV as an Iranian scion of the Persian Empire and as a Hellenistic king in emulation of Alexander the Great, the destroyer of that same empire. (BC 169-150) Mithradates IV - Tetradrachm647 viewsMithradates IV, ca 170/169-150 BC. AR Tetradrachm (15.99g), struck ca 169-150 BC. Diademed and draped busts of Mithradates IV and Laodice right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩ[Σ] / ΜΙΘΡΑΔΑΤΟΥ - ΒΑΣΙΛΙΣΣΗΣ / ΛΑΟΔΙΚΗΣ / ΦΙΛΑΔΕΛΦΩΝ, Zeus, with thunder­bolt, and Hera standing facing side by side, both holding scepter. Extremely rare. An issue of great fascination with two pleasant Hellenistic portraits, surface somewhat porous, otherwise gVF. Ex NAC sale 2 (1990), lot 173. From the Jameson and Salvesen collections. Mithradates IV Philopator succeeded his brother, Pharnakes I, as king of Pontus and took great pains to undo the damage to the Pontic kingdom caused by Pharnakes’s conflicts with the neighboring Bithynian and Attalid kingdoms. He supported Attalos II against Prousias II of Bithynia in 154 BC, which also made him a friend of Rome. The friendly relationship that he established with the Romans remained firm until it was shattered irreparably by Mithradates VI Eupator and the Asiatic Vespers of 89/8 BC. Although little else is known about the reign of Mithradates IV, his coins reveal much about the king’s desire to present himself as a Hellenistic monarch equal to the Antigonid, Seleucid, and Ptolemaic kings who could trace their bloodlines back to the generals of Alexander the Great. Despite his Iranian ancestry and possession of a backwater kingdom on the Black Sea, this tetradrachm firmly places him in the tradition of Hellenistic royal superpowers. He wears the diadem, the universal symbol of Hellenistic kingship, and is jugate with the head of his wife, Laodice, who also happened to be his sister. The royal jugate portrait was first pioneered by Ptolemy II Philadelphos for gold coins celebrating the deification of his father and mother as well as of himself and his own sister-wife, Arsinoe II. While marriage between brother and sister had a long tradition among the pharaohs and therefore Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II could be seen as continuing the native Egyptian custom, it was not acceptable in mainstream Greek culture. In an attempt to make his brother-sister marriage more palatable to Greeks, the apologists of Ptolemy II appealed to his divinity, pointing out that Zeus and Hera were also brother and sister. The reverse type of this tetradrachm also seems to make the same argument, depicting the full-length figures of Zeus and Hera as a parallel for the portraits of the king and Laodice on the obverse. The type was presumably aimed at a Greek audience (outside of Pontus?) since brother-sister marriages were not unknown among ancient Iranian elites and would not have required any special explanation - and certainly not one appealing to Greek gods - to the native Iranian population of Pontus. In addition to the aspiration to royal greatness in the footsteps of the Ptolemaic kings expressed by this coin, the treatment of the portraits is remarkable. Unlike the frequent tendency towards idealization in Hellenistic royal coin portraits, the portraits of Mithradates VI and Laodice approach a style that seems to underline the non-Greek ethnicity of the Pontic king and queen. The un-Greek character of the royal portraits are at odds with the other features of the coin that virtually scream Greek royal culture following the Ptolemaic model. As such, this coin brilliantly encapsulates the spirit of the Hellenistic Age, in which many non-Greeks sought to elevate themselves through the adoption of Greek cultural elements. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - AE1285 viewsPrusias II, 182-149 BC. AE (5.41g). Head of Dionysos right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ, Kentaur Chiron trotting right, monogram to right. Dark green patina, VF. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - AE912 viewsPrusias II, 182-149 BC. AE (13.60g), struck in Nikomedeia. Bust of Athena left / Nike walking right. Dark brown patina, VF. Rare. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - AE 13203 viewsPrusias II Kynegos, 182-149 BC. AE13 (1.48g). Nikomedeia. Forepart of horse left / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ / ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ, boar advancing right on spear head; monogram to right. nVF. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - AE 14303 viewsPrusias II, 182-149 BC. AE14 (2.41g). Forepart of horse left / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ, boar advancing right on spear head. aVF. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - AE 16810 viewsPrusias II, 182-149 BC. AE16 (2.19g). Head of Hermes right, wearing Petasos / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ, caduceus. Dark green patina, VF/gVF. Very rare type. Gutknecht coll., ex Bank Leu AG, Zurich. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - AE 18922 viewsPrusias II, 182-149 BC. AE18 (3.56g). Head of Prusias right, wearing winged diadem / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ, naked Herakles standing left, lion skin under arm, holding club; monogram to right. Dark patina, gVF. Gutknecht coll. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - AE 19780 viewsPrusias II, 182-149 BC. AE19 (3.85g). Head of Prusias right, wearing a winged diadem / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ right, ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ left, Herakles standing left, holding club in right hand, lion's skin in left. Dark patina, nice very fine. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - AE 201102 viewsPrusias II, 182-149 BC. AE20 (5.19g, 12h). Head of wreathed Dionysos right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ, Kentaur Chiron trotting right, lyra in left hand; monogram to right. Green-brown patina, small corrosion spots, aEF/EF. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - AE 211140 viewsPrusias II, 182-149 BC. AE21 (6.78g). Wreathed head of Dionysos right / Centaur walking right, playing lyre. Good VF, glossy black patina. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - AE 31797 viewsPrusias II, 182-149 BC. AE31 (12.20g, 12h). Head of Athena left, wearing crested Corinthian helmet / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ, Nike walking right, carrying trophy over left shoulder; monogram to inner right. Good VF, mottled brown patina, adjustment marks on both sides, probably overstruck. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - AE 31841 viewsPrusias II, 182-149 BC. AE31 (14.07g). Helmeted head (Athena?) right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ, Nike standing left, wearing long Chiton, holding Stylus with left hand, crowing king's name with wreath in right hand; two Pilei of the Dioskuroi, monogram underneath. Green patina, gVF. Rare series. Gutknecht coll., ex Spink (London, 10/1993), lot 219, and Spink 114 (London, 1996), lot 54; purchased from Leu Numismatik, Zurich. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - Tetradrachm948 viewsPrusias II Cynegos, 182-149 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.91g, 1h). Diademed and winged head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ, Zeus Stephanophoros standing left; to inner left, eagle standing left on thunderbolt above monogram. Near EF. Exceptional Hellenistic portrait. Drewry Coll.; ex Triton III (12/1999), lot 484. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - Tetradrachm799 viewsPrusias II, 182-149 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.99g, 11h). Diademed and winged head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ, Zeus standing left, holding wreath in right hand, lotus tipped sceptre in left; to inner left, monogram above and below eagle standing left on thunderbolt. Superb EF, lightly toned. Exceptional Hellenistic portrait. Ex Leu 83 (5/2003), lot 281; Tkalec (10/1994), lot 94; Leu 2 (4/1972), lot 223. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - Tetradrachm949 viewsPrusias II, 182-149 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.88g, 34mm, 12h). Diademed and winged head right / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ, Zeus standing left, holding wreath in right hand, lotus tipped sceptre in left; to inner left, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, monograms below. Toned, aEF/VF. Ex Giessener Muenzhandlung Auc. 67 (5/1994), lot 202. (BC 182-149) Prusias II - Tetradrachm 726 viewsPrusias II Cynegos, 182-149 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.79g, 12h), Nikomedeia mint. Head of Prusias right, with slight beard and wearing winged diadem / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΠΡΟΥΣΙΟΥ, Zeus standing left, half draped, crowning king's name with an olive wreath held in his right hand and holding a long scepter in his left; to left, eagle standing left on thunderbolt over monogram. aEF. PGB coll. Prusias II was a king about whom little good can be said. His epithet means “the Hunter” and that was the activity he liked most. As his reign went on, he became more and more disliked; he was killed after his much more attractive son Nikomedes revolted against him and took over the throne to universal acclaim. (BC 197-160) Eumenes II - Tetradrachm1148 viewsEumenes II, 197-160 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.75g, 32mm), struck ca 169-160 BC. Laureate head of Philetairos right / ΦΙΛΕΤΑΙΡΟΥ, Athena seated left on throne with lion's leg, wearing long, sleeveless chiton and crested Corinthian helmet, holding spear in left hand, crowning king's name with raised right hand, left elbow resting on large, round shield with gorgoneion; in outer left field, stylis, A in center, bow to right. EF. Rare. Ex Muenzen und Medaillen AG, Basel Fixed Price List 415 (1979), lot 2. (BC 200-133) AE 8169 viewsca 200-133 BC. AE8 (0.73g). Helemted head of Athena right / Bow in gorytos, ΦΙΛΕ/ΤΑΙΡΟΥ. (BC 200-133) AE 151129 viewsca 200-133 BC. AE15 (3.41g). Helmeted head of Athena right / Coiled snake, head standing right; ΦΙΛΕΤΑΙΡΟΥ to right, monogram to left. Dark green, glazed patina; slight corrosion, good VF. (BC 200-133) AE 15961 viewsca 200-133 BC. AE15 (1.92g). Helemted head of Athena right / Bow, ΦΙΛΕ/ΤΑΙΡΟΥ. Dark green patina, VF. (BC 200-133) AE 17602 viewsunder Attalids, ca 200-133 BC. AE17 (3.70g). Head of Athena right, wearing helmet decorated with griffin / Asklepios in himation sitting left on stone, holding bowl from which he feeds snake; M below, ΦΙΛΕΤΑΙΡΟΥ to right. Fine light green patina, EF. Scarce type. Gutknecht coll. (BC 200-133) AE 17493 views281-133 BC. AE17 (2.98g). Helmeted head of Athena right / Asklepios enthroned to left feeding snake. Very fine. (BC 200-133) AE 17234 viewsPhiletairos, 281-263 BC. AE18 (3.81g). Helmeted head of Athena right / ΦΙΛΕΤΑΙΡΟΥ, Asklepios seated left on stool, holding sceptre and feeding serpent coiled to left. EF, nice patina. (BC 200-169) Pharnakes III - AV Stater2325 viewsPharnakes III, ca 200-169 BC. AV Stater (19.5mm, 8.47g, 12h). Amisos mint. Diademed head right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΦAPNAKOY, male figure, wearing flat headdress, holding cornucopia in right hand, vine branch in left, from which a deer, standing right, feeds, on his left; MH monogram to inner right. Good VF, light scuff and edge mark on reverse. Unique. Adams coll.; ex Ley Coll. Lanz 70 (11/1994), lot 81; Tkalec & Rauch (4/1989), lot 105; Leu 22 (5/1979), lot 116; Kastner 4 (11/1973), lot 52. (BC 200-169) Pharnakes III - Drachm2499 viewsPharnakes III, ca 200-169 BC. AR Drachm (4.11g, 11h). Diademed and bearded head of Pharnakes right / BAΣIΛEΩΣ ΦAPNAKOY, male figure, wearing petasos, standing facing, cradling cornucopia and kerykeion in his left arm, and holding vine branch in his right hand; star-in-crescent (Pontic royal symbol) to upper left; to lower left, deer standing right, feeding on vine; monogram to right. Good VF, toned, a hint of porosity. Well centered on a broad flan. Splendid hellenistic portrait. The king in this issue has traditionally been labeled as Pharnakes I, but more recent literature has shown that he is actually the third Pontic king to hold that name. Pharnakes III ascended the throne after the death of his father, Mithridates III, ca 200 BC. Most of his reign was spent attempting to expand the borders of his realm, which, ca 181 BC, brought him into conflict with Eumenes II of Pergamon and Ariarathes IV of Cappadocia, who were allied with each other. Each side blamed the other for the aggression, and appealed to Rome to intervene. Hostilities were temporarily halted after the arrival of a Roman delegation, but their failure to resolve the disputes led to renewed warfare. By 179 BC, it was clear that Pharnakes could no longer withstand the combined Pergamene and Cappadocian forces. In exchange for peace, Pharnakes gave up his possessions in Galatia and Paphlagonia, except for the important trading city of Sinope. Little else is known of his reign. (BC 200-169) Pharnakes III - Tetradrachm2417 viewsca 170 BC. AR Tetradrachm (16.85g, 12h), Sinope mint. Diademed and bearded head of Pharnakes III to right / Pantheistic male deity standing facing, wearing broad petasos, chiton, chlamys and high boots, holding a cornucopiae and a kerykeion with his left hand and feeding a fawn standing right from a vine branch and grapes held in his right; thunderbolt above his head, star within crescent to left. RRR! Toned, probably the finest known tetradrachm of Pharnakes, and with the most realistic of all Hellenistic portraits. Extremely fine. From the collection of W. Wahler, Numismatic Fine Arts XXV (11/1990), 119, ex Numismatic Fine Arts V (2/1978), 123, and Monnaies et Medailles 47 (11/1972), 475. (BC 200-169) Pharnakes III - Tetradrachm1501 viewsPharnakes III, ca 185-170 BC. AR Tetradrachm (35mm, 16.38g, 11h). Diademed head right / Ma(?) standing facing, holding caduceus and cornucopiae, feeding branch to doe standing right below. VF, toned, cleaning scratches under tone. Exceptional Hellenistic portrait. Very rare. (BC 220-130) Ariarathes IV or V - AE 12777 viewsAriarathes IV or V, 220-130 BC. AE12 (1.94g). Head of Artemis left / ΒΑΣΙΛΕ[ΩΣ] ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘ[ΟΥ], Tripod. gVF. (BC 220-130) Ariarathes IV or V - AE 171192 viewsAriarathes IV or V, ca 220-130 BC. AE17 (3.31g). Diademed bust of Artemis left, wearing chignon, bow and quiver over shoulder / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ, stag standing left. Fine dark green patina, EF. Very rare. Gutknecht coll.; ex Aufhauser, Munchen, Auc. 9 (1992), lot 211. (BC 220-163) Ariarathes IV - AE709 viewsAriarathes IV, 220-163 AD. AE (4.80g, 12h). Eusebeia Tyana. Bust right, wearing Tiara, monogram to left / ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ, Athena seated to left with spear and shield, holding Nike in right hand. Very rare. VF. (BC 220-163) Ariarathes IV - AE 15573 viewsAriarathes VI Epiphanes Philopator, ca 220-163 BC. AE15 (3.18g, 12h). Eusebeia under Mt. Argaios mint. Draped bust right, wearing diademed crown / Bow in bow case. Near VF, green-brown patina. Rare. (BC 220-163) Ariarathes IV - AE 17822 viewsAriarathes IV, 220-163 AD. AE17 (4.83g). Eusebeia Tyana. Bust right, wearing Tiara / [Î’]ΑΣΙΛΕ[ΩΣ] / ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟ[Î¥], Athena seated to left with spear and shield. Very rare. Flat areas, very fine. (BC 220-163) Ariarathes IV - Drachm987 viewsAriarathes IV, Eusebes, 220-163 BC. AR Drachm (3.82g). Diademed head right / Athena standing left, holding Nike, spear, and shield; monograms to left and below, ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ - ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ - ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ. Toned, about EF. (BC 220-163) Ariarathes IV - Drachm1147 viewsAriarathes IV, 220-163 BC. AR Drachm (4.18g, 11h). Dated Year 33 (188/87 BC). Diademed head right / Athena standing left, holding Nike, shield and spear; ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΑΡΙΑΡΑΘΟΥ ΕΥΣΕΒΟΥΣ, ΓΛ (date) in exergue. EF. Ex Lanz Auc. 102 (5/2001), lot 285 (Ariarathes V; sold DM 425 ($190) + comm). 2369 coins on 24 page(s) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24