Watch List notes:

Pontic, Mithradates VI; Odessus, c. 125-70 BC, Tetradrachm, 15.85g. Price-1191. Obv: Portrait of Mithradates as Alexander III as Hercules. Rx: Zeus seated l. holding eagle and scepter; magistrate ΛA. These very interesting Alexander types show Herakles transformed from the Alexander type to that of Mithradates VI of Pontus. Price notes in his extensive Alexander study that Odessus "made no secret of where her loyalties lay. The coinage thus provides an interesting parallel to the appearance of Mithradates' name on the New Style Coinage of Athens. Tomi, Callatis, Tyra, and Istrus struck gold staters in the name of Lysimachus at this period, and Mesembria and Odessus tetradrachms in the name of Alexander. Their circulation was apparently local, and their striking was presumably a result of the first expedition of Mithradates rather than having been created in preparations to finance it. By 70 BC all issues at Odessus must have ceased" (p. 192).Attractive piece with slight wear on nose of Mithradates. Reverse is nicely struck. These coins were minted by Mithradates in Odessa bearing his portrait as one of Alexander. They were created for the second Mithradatic war against Rome which ended before this issue could circulate EF