Tetrachalkon - Mithridates VI

Historical Context: This Tetrachalkon was issued by the city of Dia under Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus, from 100 BC to 80 BC. This era saw Mithridates, a formidable adversary of Rome, establish a vast Hellenistic empire around the Black Sea. Dia, a strategic Greek city, was firmly within the Pontic sphere, serving as a key outpost in his expansionist agenda during the First and Second Mithridatic Wars, challenging Roman hegemony.

Artistry: While the engraver is anonymous, this coin exemplifies the robust Hellenistic style common in Pontic coinage. The obverse typically features a powerful, idealized portrait of Mithridates VI, conveying his divine associations and often recalling Alexander. The reverse commonly displays a symbol pertinent to Pontic royal iconography or local Diaean significance, such as a grazing stag, a star, or a cornucopia, reflecting the region's prosperity and the king's dominion.

Technical/Grading: Struck in bronze, this 22 mm, 8.58 gram Tetrachalkon typically exhibits variable strike quality, characteristic of large ancient bronze issues. High-points susceptible to wear on the obverse portrait include the hair, nose, and chin; reverse motifs like an animal’s head often show earliest attrition. Centering varies. Planchet quality may be irregular, and the present condition is heavily influenced by its original patina, crucial for assessing eye-appeal and detail retention.