Featured Welcome Mithridates to our city

Discussion in 'Ancient Coins' started by Pavlos, Apr 2, 2020.

  1. Pavlos

    Pavlos You pick out the big men. I'll make them brave!

    Many people know Mithridates VI, king of Pontos from 120-63 BC, the king who caused the Romans a lot of pain in three different wars. He was ambitious and wanted the Pontic Kingdom to be the dominant power in the Black sea region, and this ambition let him to some success as well.

    [​IMG]

    After he subjugated Colchis and the Bosporian kingdom, he focused his attention on Anatolia. He made an alliance with Nikomedes III, king of Bithynia and conquered Paphlagonia and Galatia together. However, soon it became clear to Mithridates that Nikomedes III was trying to form an anti-Pontic alliance with the expanding Roman Republic, and defeated him in a series of battles.

    Afterwards, the son of Nikomedes III, Nikomedes IV came to rule Bithynia, a puppet of the Romans. Mithridates tried to overthrow him but failed, which led Nikomedes IV to declare war on him. Two Roman legions and the army of Nikomedes IV invaded Pontos in 89 BC, being outnumbered, it was a decisive victory for Mithridates. He knew one thing now: to expel the Romans from Asia.

    [​IMG]
    Map of the Kingdom of Pontus, Before the reign of Mithridates VI (dark purple), after his conquests (purple), his conquests in the first Mithridatic wars (pink) and Pontus' ally the Kingdom of Armenia (green).

    When he went through Anatolia, he was welcomed, invited, but by some hated and even despised. First he passed through Phygria, Tralles joined the Pontic forces, followed by Apameia ad Maeandrum. Heading towards Caria, he came across Laodicea on the Lycus, which gave heavy resistance. This was the first resistance, and Mithridates laid siege on the city. The city surrendered after Mithridates promised no harm came to the people. In Caria, there was a mixed welcome for Mithridates. Stratonikeia and Tabai resisted but were captured after a siege and fined. Kaunos on the other hand was very pro-Mithridatic and even participated in the massacre of the Romans (see the "Asiatic Vespers"). Knidos and Kos island joined Mithridates afterwards as well. Magnesia ad Maeandrum, together with Rhodos, were the two cities which gave the most resistance to Mithridates, and even fought with courage against him.

    Going across Anatolia, there were some places that did not resist him, not succumb to him, but actually invited him. Some notable places are Ephesos, Smyrna, Mytilene and Pergamon. The cities issued coins, some with his portrait on it to indicate the Pontic alliance to him. For example, in Pergamon his new style silver tetradrachms were issued there. In Ephesos, Erythrai, Miletos, Smyrna and Tralles gold staters, to show their independence from the Romans. Smyrna however, even issued big bronze coins with the portrait of the king on it.

    [​IMG]
    Ionia, Smyrna. Circa 88/85-75 B.C. Æ coin. Mithradatic Wars issue. Hermogenes and Phrixos, magistrates.
    Obverse:
    Diademed head of Mithradates VI of Pontos right
    Reverse: Nike standing right, holding wreath and palm frond; ΣΜΥΡΝΑΙΩΝ to right, EPMOΓENHΣ/ΦPIΞOΣ in two lines to left.
    Reference: Milne, Autonomous 340.
    14.39g; 25mm

    These coins are rare, because after Mithridates was defeated by the Romans, Smyrna quickly toke these coins out of circulation because obviously they wanted to hide the fact that they supported Mithridates.

    Please share your coins of Mithridates IV, coins from Pontos, coins of Nikomedes III/IV or any other related coins! @panzerman do you maybe have one of these gold staters?

     
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  3. NewStyleKing

    NewStyleKing Beware of Greeks bearing wreaths

    [​IMG]
    Mithradates Vl young and old 89/8 BC and c 73 BC minted in Odessos with features of Eupator. With Mesembria, the last of Alexander types issued.
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2020
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  4. NewStyleKing

    NewStyleKing Beware of Greeks bearing wreaths

    [​IMG]

    Nicomedes 1V Philopator tetradrachm 88/7 BC
    Obv: Diademed head of Nicomedes lll right
    Rev: Zeus Stratios standing in Himeiton holding wreath in LH and Sceptre in other.

    At the time Nicomedes was in Rome pleading for his country back from Socrates Chresto, puppet of Eupator
    Eagle on thunderbolt under Left arm, below monogram, below ΙΣ date Bithynian-Pontic era 210 = 88/7 BC
    ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ ΕΠΙΦΑΝΟΥΣ NIKOMHΔOY
    16.19g 34.4 mm
    de Callatay: NEW
     
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  5. NewStyleKing

    NewStyleKing Beware of Greeks bearing wreaths

    [​IMG]

    Athens AE2 Star & 2 Crescents Chalkous 87/6 BC
    Obv: Athena in Corinthian helmet
    Rev: Grounded fulminating Zeus advancing right about to hurl thunderbolt
    ΑΘΕ
    ethnic surrounding Zeus
    Symbol RF: Pontic Star & 2 Crescents
    AE2 (18mm) 9.05gm
    Kroll 97 Mithradatic war issue King Mithradates & Aristion as magistrates
    Waiting for Sulla
     
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  6. Parthicus

    Parthicus Well-Known Member

    Here's my drachm of Ariobarzanes I of Cappadocia (96-63 BC), whose predecessor was murdered to allow Mithradates VI's son to usurp the Cappadocian throne. Ariobarzanes was selected by the nobility as the best choice to get rid of Mithradates' spawn, and received Roman help in taking the throne (in exchange for turning his kingdom into a Roman ally, of course):
    Cappadocia Ariobarzanes.jpg
     
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  7. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    ARIOBARZANES I.jpg
    ARIOBARZANES I PHILOROMAIOS; KINGS of CAPPADOCIA
    AR Drachm
    OBVERSE: Diademed head right
    REVERSE: Athena Nikephoros standing left; monogram to inner left
    Mint A (Eusebeia-Mazaka) 68-67 BC
    3.73 g, 16mm
    Simonetta, Coins 38s
     
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  8. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    SULLA at the Siege of Athens:

    And then he devastated the city...

    [​IMG]
    Athens AE19 c 87-86 BCE Time of SULLA Athena Zeus Sear Grk 2567
     
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  9. Alegandron

    Alegandron "ΤΩΙ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΩΙ..." ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ, June 323 BCE

    MITHRADATES VI
    [​IMG]
    PONTOS Amisos 85-65 BCE Æ24 12.2g Mithradates VI as Perseus r Phrygian helmet Pegasos grazing l Malloy 33b HGC 7 239
     
  10. NewStyleKing

    NewStyleKing Beware of Greeks bearing wreaths

    Athens New Style Tetradrachm 94/3 BC
    Obs : Athena Parthenos right in tri-form helmet
    28.5mm 16.25 gm Thompson issue (New) 67
    Thompson catalogue: Obs 972 : Rev NEW
    Rev : ΑΘΕ ethnic
    Owl standing on overturned panathenaic amphora
    on which month mark Θ control Α Π below
    3 magistrates : ARIST(I)ON PHILON HGEAS
    RF symbol : Drinking Pegasos
    All surrounded by an olive wreath

    Athens New Style in support of Mithradates, with future Tyrant Aristion as first magistrate. Who the other 2 are we do not know


    [​IMG]
     
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  11. NewStyleKing

    NewStyleKing Beware of Greeks bearing wreaths

    Athens New Style Tetradrachm 95/4 BC
    Obs : Athena Parthenos right in tri-form helmet
    28.5mm 16.76 gm Thompson issue (New) 66
    Thompson catalogue: 937a ? (not in plates)
    Rev : ΑΘΕ ethnic
    Owl standing on overturned panathenaic amphora
    on which month mark Γ control MH below
    3 magistrates : NIKETES DIONYSIOS MENE
    RF symbol : Gorgon Head
    All surrounded by an olive wreath

    Another allusion to Mithradates's mythological roots


    [​IMG]
     
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  12. Pellinore

    Pellinore Well-Known Member

    Then there's this type, we had a nice thread about it two years ago.

    1504 comet ct.jpg

    Pontus, incertain mint. AE, Mithridates (120-63 BC). 12 mm, 1.45 gr. Comet, or star of seven rays with thick tail with a ribbon (?) at the stem / Horse-head on a star right. Traces of dots to the right.
     
  13. Shea19

    Shea19 Well-Known Member

    Great new addition, @Pavlos. I recently added this drachm of Mithridates’ son Ariarathes IX.

    82640966-CB90-45E5-BC67-D36109A29320.jpeg

    KINGS OF CAPPADOCIA. Ariarathes IX Eusebes Philopator, AR Drachm (18 mm, 4.13 g), Eusebeia, RY 6 = 95/4 BC. Diademed head of Ariarathes IX to right. Rev.BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ / APIAPAΘOY / EYΣEBOY / ς Athena standing front, head to left, holding Nike in her right hand and resting her left on shield set on ground, spear leaning against arm.
     
  14. Sulla80

    Sulla80 Well-Known Member

    @Pavlos, a nice portrait coin of Mithradates - while I don't have one of the King, I do have one of his coins from the port city of Dia in Bithynia - located about here:
    Dia Bithynia Akçakoca Map.jpg
    Greek Bithynia Zeus .jpg
    Bithynia, Dia, Mithradates VI Eupator, ca. 95-90 or 80-70 BC, AE
    Size: 20mm, 7.80 gm, 12h
    Obv: Laureate head of Zeus right
    Ref: ΔIAΣ, eagle standing left on thunderbolt, head right, wings spread; XΔP monogram in left field
    Ref: SNG Black Sea 1560-1565
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2020
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  15. Herodotus

    Herodotus Well-Known Member

    I just recently acquired a few similar to your type (portraying Zeus) minted in Amisos(modern day Samsun, Turkey). Neat coins.

    Here's one...

    (Apologies for the poor quality cell phone w/ flash pics - I'll get off my butt, grab a real camera and figure out better lighting soon)

    [​IMG]
    Pontos, Amisos, time of Mithradates VI, c. 85-65 BC. Æ
    O:Laureate head of Zeus r.
    R: Eagle standing l., head r., on thunderbolt, AMIΣOY below

    I also have a couple others (also from Amisos) with a portrait of the king as Dionysos...


    [​IMG]
    Pontos, Amisos, time of Mithradates VI, c. 85-65 BC. Æ
    O: Head of Mithradates VI as Dionysos r. in ivy wreath
    R: AMIΣOY beneath cista mystica, on which rest panther skin and thyrsus, monogram to left and right

    [​IMG]
    Pontos, Amisos, time of Mithradates VI, c. 85-65 BC. Æ
    O: Head of Mithradates VI as Dionysos r. in ivy wreath
    R: AMIΣOY beneath cista mystica, on which rest panther skin and thyrsus, monogram to left and right
     
  16. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    AMISOS PONTOS.jpg
    AMISOS, PONTOS
    AE 20
    OBVERSE: Head of youthful Dionysos right, wreathed with ivy
    REVERSE: Thyrsos leaning against cista mystica draped with panther skin; AMISOU below
    Struck at Amisos 85-65 BC
    8.8g, 21mm
    SNG BM Black Sea 1199-1200; HGC 7, 243
     
  17. Bing

    Bing Illegitimi non carborundum Supporter

    AMISOS PONTOS 2.jpg
    AMISOS, PONTOS
    Æ17
    OBVERSE: Head of Dionysos with ivy-wreath right
    REVERSE: AM-ISOS, Thyrsos; monogram to right
    Struck at Amisos 85-65 BC
    4.0g, 17mm
    SNG BM 1192-1195
     
  18. dadams

    dadams Well-Known Member

    Nice write-up @Pavlos and a great coin too. I’ve only the one from Pontos like @Pellinore posted, but need to add more. -d
     
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  19. Pavlos

    Pavlos You pick out the big men. I'll make them brave!

    Wow you got a great amount of amazing looking tetradrachms! I love them all.

    That's a very nice drachm, I like his distinct "old-man" portrait.

    Nice drachm @Bing and cool bronze coins, the condition of the one with Dionysos is amazing!

    Thank you for sharing your nice bronze coins @Alegandron, I still need to get that type from Athens. The Romans were just too powerful at that time, with many battle hardened soldiers in the legions of Sulla. Sad that the city got totally devastated.

    I like that type and the cool story behind it.

    That's a great looking drachm, I got two of them just because of the cool portrait and that it is a son of Mithridates.

    [​IMG]
    Ariarathes IX Eusebes Philopator (circa 100-85 B.C.) AR Drachm. Mint B (Eusebeia-Mazaka). Dated RY 13 or 15 (88/7 or 86/5 BC).
    Obverse:
    Diademed head right, with Mithradatic style portrait.
    Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ APIAPAΘOY EYΣEBOYΣ, Athena Nikephoros standing left; monogram to inner left, [date in exergue].
    Reference: Callataÿ p. 181, obv. die D37 var. (slightly different monogram);

    [​IMG]
    Ariarathes IX Eusebes Philopator (circa 100-85 B.C.) AR Drachm. Mint A (Eusebeia-Mazaka). Dated RY 4 (97/6 BC).
    Obverse:
    Diademed head right, with the features of Mithradates VI of Pontos.
    Reverse: BAΣΙΛΕΩΣ APIAPAΘOY EYΣEBOYΣ, Athena Nikephoros standing left; monogram to inner left, Δ (date) in exergue.
    Reference: Simonetta 3a

    Very nice coin. There are so many varieties of the bronze coinage in the Pontic Kingdom, some very rare ones as well. Mithridates did a good job creating a big flux of bronze coins in many towns. Most of the towns before Mithridates lost their autonomy when Pharnaces I was on the throne.

    Very nice coins you got there.

    Thank you @dadams!
     
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  20. NewStyleKing

    NewStyleKing Beware of Greeks bearing wreaths

    Pseudo-Athenian New Style Tetradrachm c86-84 BC
    Obs: Fine style head of Athena Parthenos with prominent highly artistic horse protomes.
    Rev: Owl standing on panathenaic amphora
    2 Monograms of Roman official Marcus Lucullus: Quaestor
    MAPKOY TAMIOY
    Name and office
    16.40gm 28.5mm
    Thompson Sulla ll Obs: 1315 Rev: NEW?
    All surrounded by olive wreath

    Marcus was the beloved brother of the more famous Lucius Lucullus and this coinage was referred to as "Lucullan" at the time. Notice no AOE ethnic. Sulla wasn't the senates choice and was badly furnished with cash for paying his troops since he was unofficial. despite being very religious he "borrowed" from shrines along his route to Athens & Piraeus. It was a huge minting some 112 obverse dies known for both type l and ll.



    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2020
  21. NewStyleKing

    NewStyleKing Beware of Greeks bearing wreaths

    upload_2020-4-3_13-44-47.png The Sullan monograms which can be interpreted as Markoy Tamioy according to ESG Robinson and liked by most New Style scholars
     
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