Roma Numismatics Ltd
Auction XXV 22-23 Sep 2022
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Dynasts of Lykia, Mithrapata AR Stater. Uncertain mint (Zagaba or Phellos?), circa 390-370 BC. Facing scalp of a lion; triskeles below / Bare bearded head to left; M𐊆𐊉𐊕𐊀𐊓𐊀𐊗𐊀 around, triskeles behind; all within shallow incuse square. Mildenberg, Mithrapata 10 (O6/R7); Podalia Hoard 75-83 (A7/P7); Müseler VII, 72; Boston MFA Supp. 225 (same dies); SNG von Aulock 4238-9. 9.82g, 26mm, 2h.
Near Mint State; attractive old cabinet tone with hints of golden iridescence accentuating an expressive portrait of Mithrapata, superior to the example sold by Nomos AG in May 2022 (Auction 24, lot 215 - hammer: CHF 15,000).
Ex Bavarian collection, formed in the early 2000s.
The dynasts of Lykia ruled under the suzerainty of the Persian empire and the Persian Great King and, as such, they had little meaningful power of their own. Despite their status as vassals, the Lykians were nevertheless a proud race and were among the first to include portraits of dynasts on their coinage. This innovation occurred in the late fifth century towards the end of the late Classical period, and as artistic style evolved over the next half-century from static, idealised forms with no individualising features, coin portraiture also progressed towards realism. This realism is exemplified in the coinage of Mithrapata and Perikles, the last Lykian dynasts to issue coins, in the early-mid fourth century BC.
Mithrapata is depicted on the reverse of this coin as an authoritative older statesman; his age highlighted in his prominent brow, cheekbones and aquiline nose, accentuated by somewhat sunken cheeks. The skill of the engraver is also apparent in the great detail with which the intricate curls of his hair and long beard are rendered. Under Perikles, the ruler's portrait was eventually transposed to the coin's obverse, a development which would crystallise into a norm that still pervades on coinage today. Unlike earlier Lykian dynasts, neither Mithrapata nor his successor Perikles appear on coinage wearing a bashlyk, the Persian cap which marked out satraps or governors of provinces of the Achaemenid empire and thus referenced the overarching control of the Persian empire. This is doubtless a reflection of an ambition for independence on the part of these last two dynasts, a view firmly reinforced when considered within the context of Perikles' taking part in the doomed revolt of the Satraps in the 360s BC. Once defeated, Mausolos, satrap of Karia, took control of the area and in doing so abruptly terminated the coinage of the Lykian dynasts.
Near Mint State; attractive old cabinet tone with hints of golden iridescence accentuating an expressive portrait of Mithrapata, superior to the example sold by Nomos AG in May 2022 (Auction 24, lot 215 - hammer: CHF 15,000).
Ex Bavarian collection, formed in the early 2000s.
The dynasts of Lykia ruled under the suzerainty of the Persian empire and the Persian Great King and, as such, they had little meaningful power of their own. Despite their status as vassals, the Lykians were nevertheless a proud race and were among the first to include portraits of dynasts on their coinage. This innovation occurred in the late fifth century towards the end of the late Classical period, and as artistic style evolved over the next half-century from static, idealised forms with no individualising features, coin portraiture also progressed towards realism. This realism is exemplified in the coinage of Mithrapata and Perikles, the last Lykian dynasts to issue coins, in the early-mid fourth century BC.
Mithrapata is depicted on the reverse of this coin as an authoritative older statesman; his age highlighted in his prominent brow, cheekbones and aquiline nose, accentuated by somewhat sunken cheeks. The skill of the engraver is also apparent in the great detail with which the intricate curls of his hair and long beard are rendered. Under Perikles, the ruler's portrait was eventually transposed to the coin's obverse, a development which would crystallise into a norm that still pervades on coinage today. Unlike earlier Lykian dynasts, neither Mithrapata nor his successor Perikles appear on coinage wearing a bashlyk, the Persian cap which marked out satraps or governors of provinces of the Achaemenid empire and thus referenced the overarching control of the Persian empire. This is doubtless a reflection of an ambition for independence on the part of these last two dynasts, a view firmly reinforced when considered within the context of Perikles' taking part in the doomed revolt of the Satraps in the 360s BC. Once defeated, Mausolos, satrap of Karia, took control of the area and in doing so abruptly terminated the coinage of the Lykian dynasts.