Heritage Auctions

Auction 3096  –  25 - 27 March 2021

Heritage Auctions, Auction 3096

The Paramount Collection - Ancient and World Coins

Part 1: Th, 25.03.2021, from 10:00 PM CET
Part 2: Fr, 26.03.2021, from 10:00 PM CET
Part 3: Sa, 27.03.2021, from 7:00 PM CET
The auction is closed.
PLEASE NOTE: At the time of printing the catalog, in-person lot viewing and in-person floor bidding can only be accommodated under certain circumstances due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Description

PONTIC KINGDOM. Mithradates VI Eupator the Great (120-63 BC). AR tetradrachm (37mm, 16.72 gm, 11h). NGC MS S 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style. Dated Seleucid Era 213, 1st month (85/4 BC). Diademed head of Mithradates VI right, with windswept hair / BAΣΙΛEΩΣ / MIΘPAΔATOY / EYΠATOPOΣ, stag standing left on ground line, head lowered to graze; star within crescent above ΠΡΦ monogram to left, ΓIΣ (date) above MAKE monogram to right, A (month) below, all within ivy wreath. DCA 688. HGC 7, 338. De Callataÿ p. 16. Hunterian 3. Struck from fresh dies of magnificent fine style on massive flan. Truly superb. From the Paramount Collection Mithradates VI was a consistent thorn in the side of Rome for several decades. Soon after inheriting the throne of Pontus, Mithradates displayed an ambition his small kingdom could not contain. Observing growing resentment to Roman greed, he portrayed himself as the leader of resistance against Rome's suffocating hand. He launched a five-year war against Rome in 88 BC by invading Asia Province and massacring 80,000 Italian civilians. This led to a vigorous response led by the Roman general Sulla. But, on the verge of victory, Sulla was forced by political turmoil at home to sign a treaty restoring the pre-war status quo. A decade later, Mithradates launched another attack on the Roman protectorate of Bithynia, but was repelled by general Lucullus. His career finally concluded in 63 BC when, defeated by Pompey the Great, he was besieged in Panticapaeum by his own rebellious son and forced to commit suicide. After failing to kill himself via poison (to which he had become immune by taking small doses over many years), Mithradates induced a loyal Gallic officer to slay him. The imagery on the obverse deliberately evokes the memory of Alexander the Great, depicting himself as a semi-divine conqueror with flowing, windswept hair. This popular and desirable series represents the last great example of Hellenistic portraiture, with these particular fine style dies earning the star for exceptional eye appeal.

HID09801242017

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Price realized 17'000 USD
Starting price 2'100 USD
Estimate 3'000 USD
The auction is closed.
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