CNG 85, Lot: 13. Estimate $2000. Sold for $3600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of ARMENIA. Tigranes II ‘the Great’. 95-56 BC. AR Tetradrachm (28mm, 15.26 g, 12h). Antioch mint. Draped bust right, wearing Armenian tiara peaked with five beads and decorated with comet star between two eagles / Tyche of Antioch seated right on rock pile, holding palm frond; O to inner right; monogram to lower left; to lower right, river god Orontes swimming right; all within laurel wreath. SCADA Group 2 (A21/P37a – this coin cited and illustrated); CAA 34; AC 30. Good VF, toned, light mark on obverse. Well-centered on a broad flan.

From the R.A. Collection. Ex Münzen und Medaillen 68 (15 April 1986), lot 317.

Tigranes the Great earned his epithet through a series of military and political successes achieved during his long reign. His numerous victories greatly expanded Armenian territory and power, and included the annexation of Sophene and Commagene, as well as the occupation of western Media, northern Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine. The occupation of lands and his influence over their kings justified his eventual assumption of the typically eastern title 'king of kings.' It was during Tigranes' occupation of Syria, displacing the Seleukid dynasty, that he gained control of the great mint at Antioch. From this mint he issued a large series of portrait tetradrachms, whose dies were crafted by some of the finest engravers of the day. Tigranes' power waned in the 60s BC, when his interests came into conflict with the expanding power of Rome. After a series of losses, his son defected to the Roman general Pompey, and Tigranes finally surrendered in 66 BC. Having submitted to the Romans, Tigranes was allowed to remain the king of Armenia as a tributary of Rome.