Nomos AG
Auction 18 5 May 2019
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KINGS OF COMMAGENE. Mithradates II, sole reign, circa 36-20 BC. Dichalkon (Bronze, 20.5 mm, 4.76 g, 12 h), second series, Laodikeia, mid to late 20s. Head of Mithradates to right, wearing bashlyk; behind, countermark of a dolphin-entwined anchor within an oval indent. Rev. BAΣIΛEΩΣ MIΘPAΔATOY Nike standing to right, holding wreath in her right hand; below Nike's feet, AP. ACV -. Alram -. As Kovacs 234, (but hitherto unknown with this countermark). Extremely rare, perhaps unique with this countermark. Reverse partially flattened by the countermark on the obverse, otherwise, good very fine.
From the collection of Yerets' Kariatin, Switzerland, ex Lanz 165, 9 December 2017, 149.
The coins of Mithradates II of Commagene seem to be very rare, indeed: this piece was struck from the same die as the specimen in the previous lot (though the reverse dies differ). As for the countermark, an anchor entwined by a dolphin, it is also known from rare countermarked issues of Mithradates II's grandfather, Mithradates I (c. 100-c. 70 BC; Kovacs C/M 39). The nautical nature of the countermark would be rather appropriate for the port city of Laodikeia, where the coin was minted.
From the collection of Yerets' Kariatin, Switzerland, ex Lanz 165, 9 December 2017, 149.
The coins of Mithradates II of Commagene seem to be very rare, indeed: this piece was struck from the same die as the specimen in the previous lot (though the reverse dies differ). As for the countermark, an anchor entwined by a dolphin, it is also known from rare countermarked issues of Mithradates II's grandfather, Mithradates I (c. 100-c. 70 BC; Kovacs C/M 39). The nautical nature of the countermark would be rather appropriate for the port city of Laodikeia, where the coin was minted.