CNG 85, Lot: 62. Estimate $750. Sold for $1500. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ARMENIA, “Tosp”. Mithridates. Circa 1st-2nd century AD. Æ (23mm, 5.58 g, 12h). Diademed Parthian style head right; all within wreath / “Mithradates, King of Tosp(?),” within wreath. Cf. E. Khurshudian, “A Coin of Mitridat, King of Tosp,” ONS Newsletter 157 (1998), pg. 8 (left-facing bust); CNG 70, 367; CNG 66, 818. VF for issue, dark green patina. Extremely rare and unusual.

From the R.A. Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 67 (22 September 2004), lot 832.

Khurshudian records four examples of similar coins, all with left facing heads. The coins were all found in Armenia (three in the archaeological excavations at Artashat and one in Van). This right-facing bust variety has the identical reverse legend, which as translated mentions a sub-king named Mithradates from the otherwise unknown district of Tosp.