Heritage World Coin Auctions
March Signature Sale 3096 25-27 Mar 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Ancients
PONTIC KINGDOM. Mithradates VI Eupator the Great (120-63 BC). AR tetradrachm (37mm, 16.72 gm, 11h). NGC MS★ 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Dated Seleucid Era 213, 1st month (85/4 BC). Diademed head of Mithradates VI right, with windswept hair / BAΣΙΛEΩΣ / MIΘPAΔATOY / EYΠATOPOΣ, stag standing left on ground line, head lowered to graze; star within crescent above ΠΡΦ monogram to left, ΓIΣ (date) above MAKE monogram to right, A (month) below, all within ivy wreath. DCA 688. HGC 7, 338. De Callataÿ p. 16. Hunterian 3. Struck from fresh dies of magnificent fine style on massive flan. Truly superb.
From the Paramount Collection
Mithradates VI was a consistent thorn in the side of Rome for several decades. Soon after inheriting the throne of Pontus, Mithradates displayed an ambition his small kingdom could not contain. Observing growing resentment to Roman greed, he portrayed himself as the leader of resistance against Rome's suffocating hand. He launched a five-year war against Rome in 88 BC by invading Asia Province and massacring 80,000 Italian civilians. This led to a vigorous response led by the Roman general Sulla. But, on the verge of victory, Sulla was forced by political turmoil at home to sign a treaty restoring the pre-war status quo. A decade later, Mithradates launched another attack on the Roman protectorate of Bithynia, but was repelled by general Lucullus. His career finally concluded in 63 BC when, defeated by Pompey the Great, he was besieged in Panticapaeum by his own rebellious son and forced to commit suicide. After failing to kill himself via poison (to which he had become immune by taking small doses over many years), Mithradates induced a loyal Gallic officer to slay him.
The imagery on the obverse deliberately evokes the memory of Alexander the Great, depicting himself as a semi-divine conqueror with flowing, windswept hair. This popular and desirable series represents the last great example of Hellenistic portraiture, with these particular fine style dies earning the star for exceptional eye appeal.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-pontic-kingdom-mithradates-vi-eupator-the-great-120-63-bc-ar-tetradrachm-37mm-1672-gm-11h-ngc-msand-/a/3096-30025.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 3000-4000 USD
PONTIC KINGDOM. Mithradates VI Eupator the Great (120-63 BC). AR tetradrachm (37mm, 16.72 gm, 11h). NGC MS★ 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Dated Seleucid Era 213, 1st month (85/4 BC). Diademed head of Mithradates VI right, with windswept hair / BAΣΙΛEΩΣ / MIΘPAΔATOY / EYΠATOPOΣ, stag standing left on ground line, head lowered to graze; star within crescent above ΠΡΦ monogram to left, ΓIΣ (date) above MAKE monogram to right, A (month) below, all within ivy wreath. DCA 688. HGC 7, 338. De Callataÿ p. 16. Hunterian 3. Struck from fresh dies of magnificent fine style on massive flan. Truly superb.
From the Paramount Collection
Mithradates VI was a consistent thorn in the side of Rome for several decades. Soon after inheriting the throne of Pontus, Mithradates displayed an ambition his small kingdom could not contain. Observing growing resentment to Roman greed, he portrayed himself as the leader of resistance against Rome's suffocating hand. He launched a five-year war against Rome in 88 BC by invading Asia Province and massacring 80,000 Italian civilians. This led to a vigorous response led by the Roman general Sulla. But, on the verge of victory, Sulla was forced by political turmoil at home to sign a treaty restoring the pre-war status quo. A decade later, Mithradates launched another attack on the Roman protectorate of Bithynia, but was repelled by general Lucullus. His career finally concluded in 63 BC when, defeated by Pompey the Great, he was besieged in Panticapaeum by his own rebellious son and forced to commit suicide. After failing to kill himself via poison (to which he had become immune by taking small doses over many years), Mithradates induced a loyal Gallic officer to slay him.
The imagery on the obverse deliberately evokes the memory of Alexander the Great, depicting himself as a semi-divine conqueror with flowing, windswept hair. This popular and desirable series represents the last great example of Hellenistic portraiture, with these particular fine style dies earning the star for exceptional eye appeal.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/ancients/greek/ancients-pontic-kingdom-mithradates-vi-eupator-the-great-120-63-bc-ar-tetradrachm-37mm-1672-gm-11h-ngc-msand-/a/3096-30025.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 3000-4000 USD