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Drachm - Artavasdes II
| Issuer | Armenia, Kingdom of |
|---|---|
| Year | 50 BC - 49 BC |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Obverse description | Draped bust of Artavasdes II facing right, wearing a tiara adorned with a star and eagle motif, accompanied by earrings and a triple torque at the neck. The portrait is rendered in the Hellenistic tradition, emphasizing regal iconography characteristic of Armenian royal coinage. A bead-and-reel border frames the design. |
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| Reverse description | The solar deity Helios, crowned in flight by the winged goddess Nike, drives a quadriga advancing to the left in a dynamic composition reflecting Hellenistic artistic influence. A regnal monogram appears in the left field. The reverse carries no border, leaving the design open to the coin's edge. The Greek legend identifies the ruler with his full royal titulature. |
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| Additional information |
Artavasdes II inherited the Armenian throne in 55 BC after his father Tigranes the Great's long reign reshaped the Near East, but his own rule was defined by the impossible task of navigating between Rome and Parthia. When Crassus marched east and met destruction at Carrhae in 53 BC, Artavasdes — who had pledged support but ultimately withdrew — found himself diplomatically exposed. These bronzes, struck in the immediate aftermath of that political fallout, coincide with his pivot toward the Parthian court, cemented by a royal marriage alliance.