Catálogo
| Emissor | Kings of Pontos |
|---|---|
| Ano | 84 BC |
| Tipo | Standard circulation coin |
| Valor | Tetradrachm (4) |
| Moeda | Drachm |
| Composição | Silver |
| Peso | 16.73 g |
| Diâmetro | 34 mm |
| Espessura | |
| Formato | Round (irregular) |
| Técnica | Hammered |
| Orientação | Variable alignment ↺ |
| Gravador(es) | |
| Em circulação até | |
| Referência(s) | HGC 7#340 |
| Descrição do anverso | Diademed head of Mithradates VI to right, his hair streaming out behind. |
|---|---|
| Escrita do anverso | |
| Legenda do anverso | |
| Descrição do reverso | Stag standing left on ground line, head lowered to graze; star within crescent to left, ΓIΣ (date) above MAKE monogram to right, E (month) below, all within ivy wreath. |
| Escrita do reverso | Greek |
| Legenda do reverso | BAΣΙΛEΩΣ MIΘPAΔATOY EYΠATOPOΣ ΓIΣ E |
| Bordo | |
| Casa da moeda | |
| Tiragem |
213 (84 BC) - ΓIΣ - |
| ID Numisquare | 7098077430 |
| Informações adicionais |
Historical Context: This Tetradrachm, struck in 84 BC, belongs to the tumultuous reign of Mithridates VI Eupator, the formidable King of Pontos. Issued during the First Mithridatic War, a period of intense conflict with the Roman Republic, this coinage served as a crucial instrument of state power. It financed his vast armies and asserted his sovereignty across a Hellenistic empire that challenged Rome's ascendancy in Asia Minor. Mithridates, a brilliant strategist, used his coinage to project strength and legitimacy.
Artistry: The obverse of this Tetradrachm typically features a masterful portrait of Mithridates VI, rendered in the high Hellenistic style by skilled Pontic mint masters. His effigy often displays a dynamic, wind-swept appearance, with flowing hair and an intense, heroic gaze, consciously echoing Alexander the Great. The reverse commonly depicts a grazing stag, a symbol associated with Pontos and the hunt, often accompanied by the star and crescent emblem, reflecting the kingdom's iconography.
Technical/Grading: Weighing 16.73 grams and measuring 34 millimeters, this substantial silver coin exhibits high standards of Pontic minting. Key high-points for grading include the intricate details of Mithridates' hair, his facial features, and drapery folds on the obverse. On the reverse, the musculature and antlers of the stag, along with the ground line, are critical. A well-struck example will show strong relief, good centering, and consistent strike, preserving the fine details of this significant issue.