Sale: CNG 67, Lot: 624. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 22 September 2004.  Sold For $1260. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

KINGS of PONTOS. Mithradates VI. 120-63 BC. AV Stater (8.25 gm). Istros mint. Struck during the First Mithradatic War, 88-86 BC. Diademed head of the deified Alexander right, with horn of Ammon / Athena seated left, holding Nike, left arm resting on shield, spear behind; DI to inner left, IS on throne, trident in exergue. De Callataÿ pg. 139 (D1/R1); AMNG I 482; SNG Copenhagen 1094 (same dies). EF. ($750)

From the William and Louise Fielder Collection.

The remarkably individualistic features of the portrait on this exceptional die are sometimes identified as Ariarathes IX, king of Cappadocia. Ariarathes was the son of Mithradates VI and joined his father in the invasion of Thrace in 88 BC, where he died two years later.